Dharmakeerthi Tharaka Perera Wijesekera alias Kosgoda Tharaka, a member of an organized crime gang, was shot dead by police during an operation in his custody.
Police Media Spokesman, DIG Ajith Rohana stated that while in the custody of the officers of the Western Province North Crimes Division, he was taken to the Randapola area in Mirigama this morning (13) for a special operation.
The 34-year-old suspect was admitted to the Mirigama Hospital with injuries sustained in the incident.
However, a Chief Inspector of Police was also injured in the incident and was admitted to the Wathupitiwala Hospital, the police spokesman said.
A special investigation into the death of the suspect is to be launched in the Western Province under the supervision of the DIG North.
The suspect is wanted in connection with seven murders and 21 robberies that took place in Kosgoda, Matara, Moratuwa and Kottawa police divisions as well as a person who organized those activities, the police spokesman said.
He had led the robbery of a jewelery shop in Matara in 2018, where a police officer had been shot dead.