The Kuliyapitiya Magistrate’s Court today (02) ordered that Ranthatige Nishshanka Priyadarshana, alias “Dubai Sudda,” be remanded in custody until June 16.

He was arrested on allegations of sending Sri Lankans for employment in Dubai and Moldova using tourist visas without obtaining a valid licence from the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE).

The suspect was arrested yesterday (01) in the Kaduwela area by officers attached to the Special Investigation Division of the SLBFE following a complaint lodged by a resident of Giriulla.

According to the complaint, the suspect had obtained Rs. 700,000 from the complainant after promising employment in Dubai but had failed to provide the job as agreed.

The suspect, who is also a member of the United National Party (UNP) representing the Bulathsinhala Pradeshiya Sabha, is alleged to have operated the scheme through social media platforms.

The SLBFE stated that he is suspected of being a key operator involved in sending individuals to Dubai on tourist visas for employment purposes. The Bureau further noted that he had previously been arrested in connection with similar offences and was subsequently released on bail.

The Bureau emphasized that recruiting individuals for foreign employment without a valid licence issued by the SLBFE is an offence under the law.

The SLBFE has requested members of the public who may have been victimized by the suspect or who have provided money to him in exchange for overseas employment opportunities to contact the Bureau’s Special Investigation Division on 011 288 2229.