"Karandeniya Lala"s Passport Ruse Triggers CID Probe

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched an investigation into an alleged attempt to forge a foreign passport for Karandeniya Lala, a key associate of the notorious underworld figure known as "Karandeniya Sudda."

According to police, one suspect has already been taken into custody in connection with the incident. The suspect reportedly confessed to escorting Karandeniya Lala to the Department of Immigration and Emigration in a three-wheeler, where biometric fingerprint data was manipulated to facilitate the creation of a fake passport.

Instead of using the fingerprint from the thumb, as required, the suspect claims that a fingerprint from the middle finger was submitted to bypass identification protocols. 

He also admitted to receiving a payment of Rs. 10,000 for his involvement.

The CID has confirmed that an internal investigation is now underway into the possible involvement of immigration officials in the forgery attempt.

Karandeniya Lala is currently in police custody after being arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake while allegedly attempting to flee the country. He is also a suspect in the brutal murder of a Middeniya Kajja and his two children.