Police have arrested another suspect in connection with the fatal shooting incident that took place in Dewundara in the Gandara Police Division on 21 March, that killed two persons. 

As part of the ongoing probe, officers arrested a 34-year-old resident of Devinuwara on 23 March. The Police Media Division said that the suspect is believed to have been involved in setting fire to the van allegedly used in the crime. He was taken into custody by the Matara Divisional Crimes Unit and later handed over to the Gandara Police Station.

The shooting occurred at around 11.45 p.m. on Sinhasana Road, in front of the Southern entrance of the ‘Dewundara Sri Vishnu Devalaya’. Two unidentified gunmen, who arrived in a van, had rammed the victims’ motorcycle before opening fire with a Type-56 assault rifle and a nine millimetre firearm, the Police said.

According to the Police, the attack stemmed from a dispute between the two victims identified as Pasindu Tharaka (29) and Yomesh Nadeeshan, and the suspected organised crime figure Shehan Sathsara known as ‘Bale Malli’. Additionally, investigations have revealed that the prime suspect behind the killings, ‘Bale Malli’, is believed to be hiding in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.