The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has taken legal action against veteran English cricket commentator Brian Thomas, filing seven cases under ten charges before Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis. The charges stem from allegations of defrauding former Janashakti Insurance Group Director Dinesh Schaffter of nearly Rs. 144 million.

The CID presented these charges to the court, acting upon instructions received from the Attorney General to prosecute Thomas in connection with this financial incident. Brian Thomas, who appeared in open court on the 5th of October, maintained his innocence against these allegations. Consequently, the court has decided to proceed with a trial in this matter.

The Financial Crime Investigation Division of the CID brought forward these charges against Brian Thomas, who resides at 25, Palmyra Avenue, Colombo. The CID alleges that beginning in 2017 and spanning 20 cases, an approximate sum of Rs. 143,358,665 was fraudulently acquired by Thomas. These funds were purportedly obtained from 20 cheques issued by Dinesh Schaffter, a resident of 39,Flower Road, Colombo 07.