CID arrest three suspects over murder of millionaire businessman Saman Wijesiri

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged murder of millionaire businessman and engineer Saman Wijesiri who had gone missing since 2018.

Police said the 63-year-old businessman from Chilaw had reportedly disappeared since September 2018. Investigation into the disappearance of Wijesiri was taken charge by the CID following a complaint.

Saman Wijesiri had an experience of over 25 years with the UN as a charted engineer. He had also worked as Technical Engineer at the

World Bank Sri Lanka Branch and at the Economic Development Ministry. wijesri had been living in Australia for years and was married to a Japanese woman there. However, it was reported that he had purchased several lands in the Bingiriya and Chilaw areas. He had been living in Chilaw during the time of his disappearance. He also reportedly hired a watchman to look after his property.

Initial investigation revealed that forged immigration documents had been made to misguide the investigators that Wijesri had left the country.

However, further investigations by the Homicide and Organized Crimes Division of the CID led by Chief Inspector Manjula de Silva revealed that he was murdered in order to obtain his property by the suspects.

The watchman and a friend of Wijesri was also among the arrested. It was revealed that fabricated documents and a fake power of attorney had been finalized by the suspects to takeover the property.

The suspects were remanded after being produced before the Chilaw Magistrate's Court. Further investigations are underway under the directions of CID Director and the instructions of DIG Prasad Ranasinghe