Over 200 quizzed in Rs 70 m heist

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

The Colombo Crime Division (CCD) probing the second biggest heist have questioned more than 200 persons including service deserters who work for security companies and underworld men of the Western province who police say are linked to the robbery, police sources told the Sunday Observer.

Police have uncovered glaring security lapses while the cash was being transported by a private security company. "We feel that most security companies adopt a lax attitude when transporting cash because such operations have an insurance cover." police said.

Meanwhile, five police teams have been despatched to various parts of the country to apprehend the robbers and to recover the loot amounting to Rs 70 million robbed at gunpoint.

Police are probing where such a large quantity of money could be hidden. The robbery took place on September 23 around 12.30 a.m. at Thelangapatha, Wanawasala.

The public have been asked to keep a lookout for persons who attempt to encash large sums of Rs. 1,000 notes and to inform the police about suspicious persons who spend lavishly. IGP, Mahinda Balasooriya has offered Rs. 2.5 million as a reward for anyone giving information regarding the robbery.