The faces of the five suspects in the Rs.18 million-daylight robbery at the Gampaha Branch of the Merchant Credit of Sri Lanka are clearly visible in the video footage recorded in the CCTV cameras that were installed the lobby area.

Police spokesman Buddhika Siriwardena said investigations were underway and believed that the suspects would be arrested soon on the basis of evidence gathered from the video footage.

He said a reward of Rs.1 million would be given to any individual who provided information leading to the arrest of the suspects. The identity of the informant and the information would be kept confidential.

On Wednesday afternoon the main suspect had arrived first at the branch and had made inquiries on leasing out a vehicle. It was when the man had pulled out a pistol and pointed it at the staff that the rest of the gangsters stormed into the building.

They had pushed the employees into a room before collecting the keys to safety lockers.

In the wake of the robbery the police had gathered information on the first suspect who had visited the branch on several earlier occasions. He is believed to have masterminded the daring daylight robbery.

Police stations in the Western Province have been alerted to be on the lookout for the suspects.

Investigations are being carried out by the Gampaha police under the directions of Colombo North DIG L.P. Kularatne.

The public are requested to inform the police on the following numbers: 0777923922, 0774784646, 0773917092, 2911197, 2947780 and 0332222228. (Supun Dias)