Former CID chief arrested for 'Sandagala' theft

Mr. Prasad Ranasinghe, former Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and former Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), was released on bail today (10) by the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court. According to a complaint received by the Commission, the suspect was arrested by the relevant officers and produced before the court, after which bail was granted.

The main allegation against him is attempting to suppress investigations related to the theft of an artifact of historical archaeological value. The Commission points out that he illegally influenced the investigations carried out regarding the theft of the artifact named 'Sandagala' (moonstone), which was located near the entrance staircase of the palace at the Kundasale Udamaluwa archaeological site of King Sri Weera Parakrama Narendrasinghe, the last Sinhala king of the Kandyan Kingdom.

The Bribery Commission has further confirmed before the court that the former Deputy Inspector General of Police committed the crime of corruption by obstructing the proper conduct of investigations into the said theft and by providing necessary assistance and support to several suspects involved in the case to evade the law.

After considering all the facts presented and the submissions of the lawyers from both parties, the Colombo Chief Magistrate ordered the release of the suspect, Mr. Prasad Ranasinghe, on two personal bails of ten lakh rupees each. In addition, the court imposed a travel ban on him and issued an order for the suspect's passport to be immediately handed over to the court.