COLOMBO (News 1st): Lasantha Mahesh Silva, who contested the last General Election from the Kalutara District representing the National Democratic Front, has been arrested over an alleged fraud involving 1.2 million rupees.He was arrested for allegedly defrauding an individual after promising to secure employment in Israel.According to the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, investigations have revealed that the suspect had previously posed as a Presidential Coordinating Secretary during a previous government.Investigators also found that he had summoned the complainant to the main office of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, allegedly to gain the victim’s trust before carrying out the fraud.The suspect was produced before the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court No. 5 and was remanded until October 14.Meanwhile, the SLBFE said forged documents were recovered from the suspect at the time of his arrest. The documents had allegedly been prepared to recruit individuals for office assistant positions at the Ministry of Ports and Aviation.Further investigations have revealed that the alleged fraudulent activities had been carried out over an extended period, using the names of senior officials of the Foreign Employment Bureau.The SLBFE said several complaints have also been received against the suspect, alleging that he defrauded individuals in various areas and obtained money by promising them employment in government institutions.The suspect was also reportedly wanted in connection with an investigation by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority into an alleged financial fraud involving tenders.
