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Master forger and three others remanded

by Sarath Malalasekera

Anuruddha Ratnayake of Habarana who obtained employment at the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) as an engineer forging the signature of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga was produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate and Additional District Judge Priyantha Fernando by the CID and remanded till April 8.

Three other suspects who are alleged to have aided and abetted Ratnayake to prepare forged documents were also produced before the Judge and remanded till April 8. They are K.K. Don Gamini Godakumbura of Pannila, Periyaswamy Mahendran of Bandarawela and M. Anthony Rodrigo of Kandy.

The fifth suspect A. Neil Herath of Kurunegala who was produced before the Judge was granted bail and directed to appear in Court on April 8.

The first suspect Ratnayake was arrested on Tuesday evening at a Slave Island hotel by the Criminal Investigation Department officials.

The CID told court that Ratnayake had been employed at the Kukuleganga CEB project as the engineer until early this month.

The CID in a report to court stated three more suspects alleged to have obtained employment at a Government bank by tendering documents with the forged signature of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The CID said that Ratnayake had first obtained employment at the Police Department as a constable by forging certificates.

CID is looking for a brother of Ratnayake who has joined the Police Department as an ASP on forged documents. Ratnayake's brother had been attached to the Dambulla Police until last week.

The CID told the Judge that they took into custody from the possession of Ratnayake a degree certificate from the Manchester University and a degree certificate from a Russian University. CID said that they are conducting investigations to ascertain the authenticity of these certificates.

CID also took into custody several items used to forge the certificates including the rubber stamp with the signature of Prime Minister's Secretary Bradman Weerakoon.

The CID also said that the suspect Ratnayake would be charged separately under the Public Property Act as he had obtained two years salary from the Government, employed as a Police Constable.

Mrs. Sudharshini Gunaratne with Kingsley Hettiarchchi and Dammika Bandara appeared for the fifth suspect Herath.

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