A Buddhist monk named Monaragala Chandananda, who went along with two Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel to kidnap a businessman by the name Asanka Nirmal, was arrested by the Dematagoda Police at a temple in Dodanduwa.
The arrested is a former teacher of several main schools in Colombo and the victim, who is a resident of Makola, has worked as the owner of a television channel and a financial institution.
A sergeant and a constable of the STF headquarters had travelled in a cab numbered 2552-2509 along with the monk to kidnap the businessman.
The STF personnel had impersonated as officers of the Criminal Investigation Department.
The monk has invested Rs.4.6 million at a financial institution located in Dematagoda.
Following an argument over withdrawing the amount deposited, the monk had gone to the Malabe house of the victim with his two STF friends to kidnap the owner of the financial institution.
The businessman had given a cheque for Rs.4.6 million saying that he could not give the money right away upon request as per the agreements signed.
The monk who had refused to accept the cheque had abandoned the businessman in the Rajagiriya area after forcibly taking his house deed and passport.
The kidnapping took place on May 11 and the businessman had complained to the Dematagoda Police on June 10.
Following the arrest of the monk, investigations have been launched to arrest the two STF personnel and the vehicle they have used.
