The Commercial Crime Investigation Division has arrested three persons, including a woman, for swindling money by forging deeds and selling stalls at the Manning Market and for leasing out bungalows and rest houses owned by the Urban Development Authority.
The fraud was perpetrated by a person who pretended to be State Miniter of Urban Development, Waste Disposal and Community Sanitation, Nalaka Godahewa’s private secretary. According to information received by the Ministry of Urban Development, the Commercial Crime Investigation Division has conducted an investigation following a written complaint lodged with the IGP.
The arrested suspect was a person who was closely involved in the political activities of Minister of State Nalaka Godahewa during the last election campaign and was involved in organizing political activities in Ganemulla. She has also served as an advisor to the Urban Settlements Authority. Following the revelation that she was involved in this fraud, the Minister of State had canceled the advisory given to her and informed the police to take legal action against her as well. She, a resident of Ganemulla was arrested yesterday.
Police investigations have revealed that the third suspect is the owner of a cracker factory and that they have been involved in the scam by forging documents of the ministry. Investigators also found several forged deeds prepared for shops in Manning Market.