Two men impersonating as close associates of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa with the intention of making money by deceiving the people were arrested by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) today, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Earlier, the PMD advised that information was received about a group of people defrauding the public by promising employment in state institutions by impersonating as the President’s close associates.

“The police have received information about these tricksters and two of them have been arrested by the CCD. The main suspect arrested is 47–year old Nihal Dasanayake residing in Rajanganaya. The other is Nuwan Jayakodi from Samagipura, Sevanagala,” the PMD said.

It said the main suspect has asked for a bribe of Rs.150,000 from a woman promising a teaching appointment to her daughter.

“A fake letter has also been drafted with regard to the appointment said to have been issued by the Chief Secretary of the North Central Province. Meanwhile, the second suspect Nuwan Jayakodi has made a phone call claiming to be an official of the Education Ministry. They have informed the woman to come to Isurupaya along with the money and they have been arrested on the spot,” the PMD said.

It said Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon requested the public to provide information about impersonators swindling the public.

“The public can contact DIG Tennakoon on 071 8591017 or Superintendent of Police of the Colombo Crime Division G. J. Nandana on 011 2662323 or 071 8591727,” it said.

The PMD reiterated that the consistent approach of President Rajapaksa is to follow the accepted procedures and it is the same policy that applies to employment at State institutes.

“Hence, the Presidential Secretariat urges the public not to fall prey to such fraudsters and expects to take stern legal action against them,” it said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)