Immigration IT controller arrested over Rs. 9.8 mn software fraud

Colombo, May 14 (Daily Mirror) - An official attached to the Department of Immigration and Emigration has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over an alleged financial fraud linked to a software installation project.

The suspect, identified as K. Herath, serves as the Controller of Information Technology and Border Control at the department. He was taken into custody by officers of the CID’s Financial Crimes Investigation Division following an investigation into irregularities in the department’s digital procurement process.

According to investigators, the case centres around a payment of Rs. 9,831,250 made for the installation of a software system. However, authorities allege that although the full payment had been made, the software was neither delivered nor installed.

Police said the official is suspected of involvement in the misappropriation of state funds and failing to ensure the implementation of the contracted software infrastructure.

The arrest was made under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. 

The suspect is to be produced before court.