SLPP local government politician arrested over bank heist

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Local Government Member was arrested over the botched Rs. 20 million bank heist in Thambuttegama in the Anuradhapura district.

Police said that the councilor from the Rajanganaya Pradeshiya Sabha was arrested for aiding and abetting in the crime.

The suspect is a 44-year-old resident from Rajanganaya.

A police sergeant has been hailed as a hero after he valiantly stopped two gunmen from making a getaway with the loot.

The money was being moved to a private bank in Thambuttegama on Monday (26) afternoon when two men on a motorcycle attempted to steal the money at gunpoint from a wholesale businessman who had come to deposit the money.

The suspects were identified as residents of Thambuttegama. One of them served as a security officer at the private bank in question.