| A special team of anti-crime officers will be working undercover to nab persons believed to be extorting money from fish vendors running stalls at the newly opened Central Fish Market Complex in Peliyagoda.
The team comes under the supervision of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), which is investigating the extortion racket. According to the CCD, the chief suspect and other members of the gang of extortionists are evading arrest. It is understood that the undercover operation will include police officers posing as fish vendors, buyers and others.
The Sunday Times learns that the extortionists demand Rs. 500 a day for each fish stall, Rs. 25 for each fish box, Rs. 20 for the use of toilets, Rs. 50 for parking of three- and four-wheel vehicles, and Rs. 20 for motorcycles.
Last Monday, Colombo Additional Magistrate M. Stella ordered the further remanding of eight extortionist suspects, including the Peliyagoda Pradeshiya Sabha vice-chairman Amila Nishantha Kumarasinghe, until April 29, when they will be produced at an identification parade.
Thirteen persons, including the Pradeshiya Sabha senior official, were arrested on April 6 for extortion and the assault of fish vendors. |
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