The Criminal Investigation Department has recorded a statement from veteran English cricket commentator Brian Thomas in connection with the death of Dinesh Schaffter, a director of Janashakthi Insurance and a prominent Colombo businessman.

Dinesh Schaffter, who left his home at Flower Road, Colombo 07, in the morning, was found with his hands tied and strangled in the Borella cemetery (Kanatte) and died after being admitted to the intensive care unit of the Colombo National Hospital yesterday.

There has been suspicion that this killing was done by a hired assailant. It has also been revealed that the assassination could have been due to a dispute arising from a financial transaction, and the name of Brian Thomas also transpired over the alleged financial transaction.

Brian Thomas, who was arrested in March 2019 following a complaint made by Dinesh Shafter to the Criminal Investigation Department, was brought to court and remanded on February 11 of last year.

Shafter had alleged that Brian Thomas had defrauded 1.43 billion rupees by pretending to be a broker for a garment company.

Sources in the Criminal Investigation Department said that although the statement from Brian Thomas has been recorded, several other aspects have been brought to their attention for investigation.