Army cook posing as Colonel arrested for robbery

A former army civilian cook posing as a Colonel wanted in connection with a robbery on June 23 was taken into custody by the Moneragala Division Crime Investigation Unit with the help of the Military Police during a raid at Galgamuwa in Anuradhapura. He is a resident of Horape in Wattala.

Referring to our news report on October 28, “Army Colonel to be arrested in connection with robbery”, Military Spokesman Major General Ravi Herath said the suspect had only been a cook attached to the Udawalawe Military Engineering Workshop and not an officer of any rank. He said the suspect had been absent since 2021.

A gang of seven individuals posing as officers of the Defense Ministry had entered a house in the Hambegamuwa area and taken away cash and jewellery valued at more than Rs. 1.6 million and seven sim cards. They had searched the house under the pretext of information received that property from a dug treasure had been hidden in the house.

During investigations police arrested two suspects on October 26 and took into custody two motorcars used by the gang. Police had received information that an Army Colonel was the king pin behind the robbery. 

However, after his arrest it has transpired that he was a former cook in the army, posing as an Army Colonel and leading the gang. 

The suspect was to be handed over to the Hambegamuwa police for further investigations. (Sumanasiri Gunatilleka)