The Panadura Walana Anti‑Corruption Strike Force has arrested a suspect who posed as its Station Chief to extort money from hotel and restaurant owners across several districts.
According to the Police, investigations have revealed that the suspect, a 31‑year‑old resident of Ambalangoda, contacted businessmen via WhatsApp claiming to be Station Chief Indika Weerasinghe.
The suspect had intimidated the victims and unlawfully obtained large sums of money.
He was arrested yesterday (25) near the Galanigama expressway entrance, where police also seized 25.620 grams of heroin from his possession.
The Police confirmed that the suspect had previously been imprisoned for drug trafficking, theft, robbery, and extortion.
Investigations reveal he targeted business owners in Ambalangoda, Gandara, Ratnapura, Horana, Panadura, Marawila, and Trincomalee.
The Sri Lanka Police has urged the public to immediately report any incidents of intimidation or unlawful money collection by individuals impersonating police officers to the nearest police station or through emergency hotlines 119 and 118. (Newswire)