- 4 arrested for aiding-abetting in Kahawatta youth abduction-murder
A shooting incident had been reported in Udukawa, Weligama, last morning (16), the Police stated.
An unidentified gunman had arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire at the house of an attorney in Udukawa at around 4.40 a.m. The shooter had subsequently fled the scene. The Office of the Police Media Spokesperson stated that no one was injured in the shooting and that shots were fired at the gate of the house. The attorney had previously informed Police about receiving death threats.
Meanwhile, four suspects have been arrested in connection with the abduction and murder of a youth in Kahawatta on 30 June. A 22-year-old youth died in the shooting while another 27-year-old man was hospitalised after sustaining injuries. According to the Western Province – North Crimes Division, the four suspects were arrested for aiding and abetting in the incident. The jeep used for the abduction has also been found. The incident occurred at a house in Palansuriyagama, Kahawatta. Two brothers were having a conversation with another young man when the incident took place. One of the brothers reportedly escaped from the scene, while the other two individuals were abducted by persons who posed as Police officers. One of the abducted youth was made to kneel and was shot dead, while the other was hospitalised with gunshot wounds. Police said that the arrested suspects are close associates of organised crime suspect Thanuja Sampath, also known as ‘Homagama Handhaya’, currently hiding in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is believed that the shooting was carried out due to suspicions that one of the victims had provided information about drug trafficking operations.
Police stated that at the time of the arrest of the four suspects, officers recovered the jeep used in the abduction, a car, three motorcycles, two vehicle number plates, 197 g of heroin, and 96 g of crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as ‘ice’). The jeep was found hidden within the Meegoda Police Division. The suspects, aged between 27 and 29, are residents of Homagama and Padukka. Police has confirmed that they are involved in drug trafficking activities. According to the Police, all individuals directly responsible for the murder have been identified.