Police probing a large scale VAT fraud in the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has sought the assistance of the Interpol to arrest suspects who have left the country.
A complaint was filed with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in 2006 regarding the fraud of almost Rs 4 billion which had occurred in the Inland Revenue Department between 2002 and 2004.
Following investigations the CID had filed cases against 14 defendants with Colombo High Court and while 6 suspects have been arrested over the fraud 8 are said to be currently living abroad.
Three of the arrested suspects had pleaded guilty when the case was taken up yesterday, and they were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment.
Meanwhile open warrants have been issued for the 8 suspects who are broad.
