Suspect facing 96 cases for Rs. 140 Mn foreign job scam further remanded

By Bhagya Silva  

A person against whom 96 cases have been filed for allegedly defrauding Rs. 140 million by promising foreign jobs in Canada has been further remanded until March 19 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today.  
According to the Fraud bureau, the suspect had deceived multiple individuals by collecting money under the false pretence of securing employment opportunities abroad.  
Earlier during this investigation, a lawyer from Ja-Ela was also arrested. In a previous court hearing, she was granted bail.  
The Fraud Bureau told the court that the main suspect had appointed the lawyer as his legal representative and directed victims to her. Afterward, the lawyer allegedly collected Rs. 1 million from each victim.  
As the suspect, Ananda Weerarathna from Minuwangoda, has been in remand custody for the past eight months, a counsel appearing for him today made a bail application on his behalf. However, investigators opposed it, citing ongoing inquiries into his assets.  
After considering submissions from both sides, the court granted bail for four of his cases on two surety bails of Rs. 2 million each. Additionally, a travel ban was also imposed on the suspect for these four cases. Despite this, he remains in remand custody for the other cases until March 19.