Couple Arrested After Fleeing to India Over Financial Fraud

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A couple who fled to India after committing a financial fraud worth 1.6 billion rupees, have been arrested upon their return to Sri Lanka. 

They were arrested during an operation by the Criminal Investigation Department at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake.

According to Police Media Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police Buddhika Manatunga, the couple, who reside in the Colombo 05 area, are listed as Red Notice suspects by Interpol. 

The 49-year-old husband and his 43-year-old wife had escaped to India by a boat in 2021.

Due to their involvement in large-scale financial fraud across Sri Lanka, the courts in Colombo, Trincomalee, and Batticaloa had imposed eight travel bans on the couple. 

They are set to be produced before the Fort Magistrate's Court.