FormerDeputy Minister in Alleged Land Fraud Hiding

Former Minister Marvyn Silva has been arrested and remanded in connection with the allegations of forging documents to sell government-owned land. In addition, former Deputy Minister Prasanna Ranawera, who is suspected of involvement in the same case, is under investigation, and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated inquiries to arrest him.

A team of CID officers visited Prasanna Ranawera's residence in the Kelaniya area, but sources within the police revealed that he was not present at the location. Reports suggest that he has fled the house, and his mobile phone has also been deactivated.

On March 5, former Minister Marvyn Silva and two others, including the former Deputy Chairman of the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha, were taken into custody by the CID. Magistrate Kanchnana Neranjana de Silva has ordered that the suspects remain in remand until March 17.

According to police sources, when the CID officers attempted to arrest Prasanna Ranawera, he had already fled. Statements were recorded from family members, including his wife, who was at the residence during the raid, and further statements have been obtained from his driver.

The incident in question occurred in 2010, when it is alleged that government land was sold through forged documents. The CID is now investigating the involvement of six other individuals, including a former member of the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha, a businessman, and a lawyer. Six CID teams have been assigned to the investigation.

Former Minister Marvyn Silva was arrested on the night of March 5 by the CID in connection with a scheme involving the illegal construction of shops on land owned by the Urban Development Authority, for which fraudulent documents were created and sold.

Further sources reveal that although both Prasanna Ranawera and Marvyn Silva’s personal secretary, Singapore Sarath, were expected to be arrested in connection with the case, both individuals are currently in hiding.