Suspect in biggest bank robbery arrested

Over Rs.92.8 m of robbed money recovered:

Rafik JALALDEEN

The key suspect involved in the biggest bank robbery was arrested in Ambalangoda yesterday morning.

Over Rs.92.8 million of the robbed money was recovered from his possession along with $400.

Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said under the direction of Colombo Criminal Division DIG Anura Senanayaka, acting on information, the Southern Crime Division nabbed the key suspect involved in the bank money robbery of Rs.100 million.

K.C. Kapila de Silva ,43, a father of two who is an ex-airman, led the biggest ever bank robbery on Tuesday night in Diyagampola, Kotadeniyawa. “The suspect was arrested around 1.00 am while he was riding a motorcycle in his home town Ambalangoda,” he added.

SSP Gunasekera said police recovered over Rs.92.8 million from the suspect’s possession.

“The suspect had hidden the stolen money under a refrigerator in an old pharmacy building. Police also recovered $400 and two National Identity Cards,” he added.

He noted that the suspect might have been planning to flee abroad. “A ticket was recovered from the suspect which was dated July 17 to fly to Singapore,” SSP Gunasekera told the Daily News.

The main suspect was an owner of a jewelery shop in Ambalangoda and attached to an elite club. He was enjoying a prestigious life in the area.

The Southern crime division recovered the car used for the robbery. “A Toyota Vios type car bearing number SP KG 9753 used for the robbery was recovered. Police are on close look out to net another suspect,” he added.

He asserted that police are probing whether had any link between the robbers and security personnel from a private security firm escorting the bank money.