Attempting extortion from Buddhist monk Six including Traffic OIC, PS member remanded

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

 Six people, including the OIC of Norton Bridge Police Traffic Branch have been remanded till March 2 after being arrested by the Ahungalla Police for allegedly attempting to extort Rs. 1 million from a Buddhist monk.   
 The police arrested the suspects- the OIC, a member of the Habaraduwa Pradeshiya Sabha, a gem merchant from Haloluwa and three others for attempting to extort Rs.1 million from the chief incumbent of the Balapitiya Pathegama Yogashrama Temple.   

 It was disclosed that a group claiming to be officers of the Special Unit of the Senior DIG in charge of the Western Province, had visited  the temple on February 17 and had demanded a ransom of Rs.one million from the temple’s chief prelate.   

 The arrested suspects were produced before the Balapitiya Magistrate on Friday and detained for 24 hours by the Ahungalla Police for further questioning.   

 The Balapitiya Magistrate yesterday ordered the suspects be remanded till March 2.