People’s Bank fraud investigation in Horana exposes new claims after Rs. 35 million vanished from a branch in a staged heist.
The People’s Bank fraud investigation in Horana has taken a deeper turn after police uncovered more details surrounding the disappearance of Rs. 35 million from a branch in the town centre.
The controversial incident, involving the loss of Rs. 35 million, or 3.5 crore, in what investigators now believe was a carefully planned and highly organized operation, has become a major talking point. Police have arrested the bank’s Assistant Manager and a security officer who was on duty at the time in connection with the massive financial irregularity. Both suspects have now been remanded, while police have obtained permission to question the Assistant Manager for six days.
During extensive questioning, several darker details hidden behind this large-scale bank heist are now beginning to emerge. Investigative sources say special attention is being placed on the Assistant Manager’s previous financial transactions and his closest personal and financial relationships.
How the incident unfolded
The incident, which took place on the afternoon of the 3rd, was first reported as a daylight robbery carried out by an unknown person who had allegedly snatched a large sum of money being transported out of the bank.
On the day of the incident, two security officers attached to the bank had gone to the main manager and made an urgent complaint. They stated that an unknown person had suddenly grabbed the money bags which the Assistant Manager had taken outside the bank premises to be transported to two other service centres belonging to the bank.
The main manager, responding immediately to the unexpected report, rushed outside the bank premises and carefully inspected the surrounding area. However, he was unable to detect any suspicious person or unusual activity nearby. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, the main manager promptly contacted the 119 police emergency call centre and informed police about the massive money theft.
According to the initial complaint made to police, investigators confirmed that the Assistant Manager had taken Rs. 35 million outside the bank in two cloth bags carrying the bank’s official logo. The bags reportedly contained only Rs. 5,000 denomination notes.
Police officers who acted immediately on the complaint summoned the Assistant Manager, who had been responsible for the two money bags, to the police station and questioned him at length. However, during the initial questioning, regional police officers were unable to uncover any major clues or evidence that could move the investigation forward.
Given this situation, the Police Chief, considering the complexity of the incident and the seriousness of such a large sum disappearing from within a banking system, immediately transferred further investigations to a team of officers from the Paliyagoda North Crime Investigation Division. The objective was to make the investigation broader, sharper, and more effective.
The investigation takes a turn
Accordingly, officers from the Paliyagoda North Crime Division arrived in the Horana area and began examining the case through technical evidence. They carefully reviewed CCTV footage from inside the bank premises as well as from surrounding locations.
During this process, investigators discovered several crucial details. They found that the Assistant Manager had taken the large sum of money from the bank’s main vault in the morning, and that this movement had been clearly captured by cameras installed inside the bank.
However, what made the matter more suspicious was that he appeared to be preparing to leave the bank with the money several hours later, in the afternoon. Although security cameras were installed inside the bank, investigators confirmed that because the exit door from the bank premises was located in a corner, there were no cameras outside covering that specific area.
Police suspicion grew further when officers found that no suspicious person carrying two money bags had been recorded on CCTV cameras along nearby roads or at other surrounding institutions.
Based on these technical and environmental findings, police eventually discovered that the incident was not a robbery committed by an outsider. Instead, investigators now believe it was an elaborate and long-planned staged act allegedly created by the suspect Assistant Manager, with the involvement of a bank security officer.
Acting swiftly after this key revelation, police arrested the 54-year-old bank Assistant Manager from the Wevula, Gangoda area, and the 43-year-old security officer from the Bulathsinghala area.
After the two main suspects were produced before the Horana Magistrate’s Court, police were granted special permission to detain the Assistant Manager for six days for further questioning over the large-scale disappearance of money. The court also ordered that the security officer, who is alleged to have directly aided and abetted the incident, be remanded until the 11th.
New revelations during questioning
During the intense questioning of the Assistant Manager, who is currently in police custody under a six-day detention order, several highly important details linked to this large-scale fraud are reportedly being uncovered daily.
In particular, as investigators examine the suspect’s past financial behaviour and transactions, police have now focused special attention on two women with whom he is said to have maintained close financial dealings.
The two women have been identified as residents of the Nalluruwa and Modarawila areas. A separate and detailed investigation has already been launched into their possible connection to the suspect and his financial activities.
Police strongly suspect whether these two women may have provided direct or indirect support for various financial frauds allegedly committed within the banking system over a long period by the Assistant Manager.
Initial investigations have also revealed that, at different times when irregularities occurred in bank accounts, the suspect had allegedly misused his authority to transfer large sums of money through the personal bank accounts of these women.
Police sources confirm that the suspect manager, through further statements, is revealing details about how he planned and carried out the fraud. He is also said to have mentioned several other individuals allegedly connected to the wider racket.
Given these developments, authorities have also called for an internal audit report to formally examine all transactions that may have been carefully carried out by the suspect within the banking system.
Investigators believe that once this special audit report is received, many more hidden parties involved in the financial fraud could be identified and brought before the law.
Horana Police and the Financial Crimes Investigation Division are now jointly pursuing further legal action in connection with this complex financial crime.
