Sri Lanka, Oct. 1 -- The CID Commercial and Criminal Investigation Division has arrested a gem businessman for defrauding 164 residents of Kalmunai of nearly Rs.100 million while promising them permanent land deeds under the former President Ranil Wickremesinghe's 'Urumaya' land distribution programme.

This businessman (55) is a resident of Maharagama. The CID had arrested a woman on August 26, in connection with the fraud. She is also involved in the gem business.

The Criminal Investigation Department states that she has fraudulently presented herself as a lawyer and a person employed at Sirikotha, the UNP headquarters. The 42-year-old woman is a resident of Bakamuna area.

The CID states that with the commencement of the programme to ...