Arrested-The most wanted fraudster Sakvithi Ranasinghe

The most wanted fraudster Sakvithi Ranasinghe and his wife have been arrested and are now in police custody in Sri Lanka.

Intelligence sources told Daily Mirror online that Sakvithi had altered his appearance and was using a Tamil name at the time he was arrested by the Mirihana Police and had in his possession monies worth more than Rs. 150,000. 

Sources added that he was arrested in Kaduwela following information provided by a Civil Defence Force officer and had reportedly returned to the country from India two months ago. He was handed over to the CID for further investigations. 

Sakvithi is accused of swindling more than 1,000 million rupees. Police say they had received more than 2,900 complaints. Senior policemen, soldiers, a woman athlete, cricket players and prominent social figures are among the victims.

Sri Lanka had earlier sought Interpol assistance to arrest the man in connection with what might have been the largest single cash defraud in the country.

An arrest warrant was issued against him in connection with the activities of the finance company in which thousands of Sri Lankans have deposited their savings..

Sakvithi Ranasinghe who is accused of large scale money fraud is said to have returned to Sri Lanka along with his wife 6 months ago, Police sources told Ada Derana. Reports now claim that previously Sakvithi had used a forged passport come to the country from India and returned back.

 

 

When returning to the country 6 months ago Sakvithi had used a bogus passport by the name of “Ranjan”. Upon returning the absconding couple had stayed at a house belonging to Sakvithi in Wattala but was arrested today while being lodged at a house belonging to the wife in Nawagamuwa.

 

 

According to a tip off given to the Nugegoda Police by a Civil Defence Force member, Sakvithi and his wife was arrested today.

 

 

The Civil Defence Force member who was on a routine round had identified Mrs. Ranasigha and had later recognized that the man accompanying her was in fact the wanted suspect.

 

 

Police sources further state that at the point of arrest Sakvithi was almost indistinguishable having grown a moustache to disguise himself.

 

 

Both Sakvithi and his wife have been handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in order to conduct further investigations says Police sources.

A manhunt with a difference is turning global after a court in Sri Lanka has ordered the police to seek Interpol help to arrest a man in connection with what might have been the largest single cash defraud in the country.

A global search has started

The founder of Sakvithi Housing Construction, Chandana Weerakumara Ranasinghe, also known as Sakvithi Ranasinghe, is believed to have fled the country.

According to press reports, he is accused of swindling some 9,000 million rupees (£48; $84m), though the authorities say correct estimates are not available as victims seem reluctant to complain.

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