Suspect arrested over Ambalangoda bank robbery

COLOMBO (News 1st): One suspect was arrested in connection with the robbery reported at the Usmudulawa rural bank in Ambalangoda on Friday afternoon (Jan. 29), Sri Lanka Police said on Saturday (Jan. 30). "The suspect who arrived at the bank on a motorcycle wearing a jacket and a full-face helmet had threatened the Manager of the bank and robbed a sum of Rs. 136,000," Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana told News 1st. According to DIG Ajith Rohana, the Ambalangoda Police that rushed to the scene were able to apprehend the suspect within 15 minutes. Several weapons were also recovered from the suspect's possession; "The police have recovered a hand grenade, locally manufactured bomb, and a toy pistol from the possession of the suspect," the Deputy Police Chief said. The 44-year-old suspect, a resident of the same area, will be produced at the Balapitiya Magistrate's Court today Ambalangoda Police are conducting further investigations. "The suspect has been identified as a 44-year-old individual permanently residing in the same area, who is attached to an Air Force camp in Trincomalee. He has been identified as a soldier of Sri Lanka Air Force," Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana further noted.