The 12 suspects including former Western Provincial Councilor Amal Silva, who were arrested in connection with the murder of two persons including businessman Surendra Wasantha Perera, also known as ‘Club Wasantha’, have been ordered to be further remanded until 13 September.

This order has been issued after the relevant suspects were produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court yesterday (2).

On 29 August, Silva was arrested on charges of aiding and providing lodging to the second gunman and the car driver involved in the shooting and killing of ‘Club Wasantha’ in Athurugiriya. Meanwhile, the second gunman and the car driver wanted in connection with the recent killing of two persons including Perera, were arrested on 28 August by the Panadura Police Divisional Crimes Detection Bureau at Pinwaththa.

Police arrested 18 individuals including a woman, in connection with the shooting incident so far.

Police Media Spokesperson, Deputy Inspector General of Police Nihal Thalduwa recently stated that more than 95% of the investigation activities into the incident have been completed thus far and that all the main suspects including the two gunmen related to the case have already been identified, and taken into custody. However, he expressed that further investigations are still underway regarding the case since a ‘foreign involvement’ has been observed in connection to the incident. Thalduwa elaborated that the individuals suspected to have been involved in this murder, who are currently hiding overseas, may have been linked with international crime gangs or drug networks.

The shooting incident had occurred during the opening ceremony of a tattoo and piercing studio near the Clock Tower in Athurugiriya on 8 July. Six people were rushed to the hospital following the incident. Police later confirmed that 55-year-old businessman Perera and a 38-year-old male had succumbed to their injuries. Singer K. Sujeewa and Perera’s wife were reported to be among the four injured persons.

In the course of the investigation, the Police discovered the van used by the suspects in an abandoned land in the Bulathsinhala area. Additionally, the car used by the suspects to carry out the shooting was found abandoned in Kaduwela.