June 30, 2013, 10:11 pm

By Chaminda Silva and


Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon


The Organised Crimes Division of the police, early yesterday morning, raided a Casino at Bambalapitiya patronised by the elite and arrested 13 persons with cash despite moves to thwart it.


The police said that the casino owners had been evading taxes to the tune of Rs. 1,000 million.


Attempts to raid the casino by police on several occasions had been thwarted by some powerful persons, the police said.


A senior police officer said a court order had been obtained for the raid after gathering information about its operations with the help of some decoys.


About 40 gamblers fled when the raid was conducted and the police believe among them would have been highly influential persons.


Among those taken into custody is the manager of the casino. Police also seized a consignment of foreign liquor and money.

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