• Say lawyers defending crime suspects will receive standard protection
• Two brothers arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting 

Police ruled out yesterday (16), providing special security for lawyers appearing on behalf of organised crime suspects, as public concern continued to mount following last week’s fatal shooting of an attorney-at-law and his wife in Akuregoda.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police and AAL, F.U. Wootler said no special security arrangements would be made for lawyers defending organised crime suspects beyond the standard protection afforded to all citizens. "Other than the security that is provided by the Police to citizens, special security arrangements will not be made to safeguard the protection of the lawyers that represent organised crime suspects in court," Wootler said, adding that representing clients is part of the professional duty of Attorneys.

The statement comes in the wake of a daylight shooting on 13 February 2026 that claimed the lives of AAL Buddhika Mallawarachchi and his wife Nisansala Mallawarachchi. The couple was inside their vehicle near a supermarket in Akuregoda when two unidentified gunmen arrived in another car and opened fire before fleeing the scene. The slain lawyer is reported to have represented various organised crime figures.

Meanwhile, two brothers were arrested yesterday (16) in Kottawa for allegedly aiding and abetting in the killing of Mallawarachchi and his wife. The suspects, aged 20 and 24 have been arrested by the officers attached to the Western Province South Crimes Range. A car suspected to have been used by them has also been taken into custody, the Police stated.