Theft of machinery/equipment from Ratmalana Institute of Technology Forty-year-old suspect arrested

By H.M. Dharmapala and Kusal Chamath   

A person wanted in connection with the theft of machinery and equipment from the Ratmalana Institute of Technology was taken into custody yesterday by Mount Lavinia police.The 40-year-old suspect was a resident of Ratmalana. His accomplice was absconding and the police said he would be arrested soon.   

Investigations revealed that the suspect had removed the roofing sheets, entered the carpentry section and taken away the machinery and equipment. Police said the Institute of Technology was among the government institutions that had been closed during the curfew and that the suspect had taken advantage of it. The Workshop Assistant had opened it on July 05 to find machinery and equipment valued at more than Rs.300,000 stolen.   

During investigations the police recovered the stolen machinery and equipment that had been sold to several individuals and recorded the statements of the buyers.   
OIC Crime Investigation Branch IP Nalaka Alahakoon, Sergeants 12932 Sampath, 38148 Siriwardene, PCs 86614 Tharinda, 23295 Sandaruwan, 29357 Disanayaka, 91470 Nuwantha, 19593 Pradeep, 76962 Pradeep, and 69679 Wijebandara are conducting further investigations on the instructions of HQI Mount Lavinia, CI Dileep C.Perera and SSP Rohan Premaratne.