Bogus Presidential security officer arrested

Wife not aware of his real identity

Yasaratne GAMAGE

A person who posed as an officer of the Presidential Special Investigation Unit and deceived people into parting with large sums of money on the pretext of securing their children’s admission to popular schools, was arrested by Medawachchiya Police on Sunday.

The Police said the suspect had taken money from people in Nochchiyagama and Kidagalegama in Medawachchiya promising to admit their children to popular schools even without grade five scholarship qualifications.

The suspect had also promised to make arrangements to supply electricity connections and provide job opportunities, the Police said. The Police said villagers had faith in him since he was posing as a reputed government officer.

The suspect later fled Nochchiyagama and got married in Kidagalegama where he continued to cheat people acting in the same role. Neither his wife nor her family were aware of his false identity.

The suspect was arrested when Medawachchiya Police took into custody two people quarreling on the road and when questioned, one of them revealed that he was from Nochchiyagama and had come Medawachchiya to confront the bogus officer.

He had earlier lodged a complaint at Nochchiyagama Police regarding the incident. He had also received information about the suspect’s whereabouts and that he was continuing with his same old tricks in Medawachchiya too.

The suspect has been on the most wanted list of the Habaraduwa police as well.

Medawachchiya OIC, IP B M A Dissanayake is leading further investigations.

The Police requested the public to make complaints if they have been duped in a similar fashion .

The suspect from Habaraduwa was to be produced before the Medawachchiya magistrate court yesterday.