Weligama PS Chairman Murder Suspects Handed Over to FCID: Investigations Intensify

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The group of suspects, including the gunman arrested in connection with the murder of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, has been handed over to the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) for further investigations.

Issuing a statement, the Police Media Division said that the FCID will carry out the next phase of the investigations.

Seven suspects were arrested yesterday alone in connection with the killing.

Earlier yesterday morning, two male suspects and a female suspect were arrested in Kekirawa, Anuradhapura in connection with the incident.

The gunman, who had fled the area, was arrested later yesterday evening in Navinna, Maharagama.

The arrest was made during a joint operation conducted by the Police Special Task Force (STF), officers of the State Intelligence Service, and local police personnel.

Police said that ten special investigation teams have been deployed under the direct supervision of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to conduct the investigations.

These teams comprise Senior Deputy Inspectors General (SDIGs) of the Southern Province, Western Province, and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), along with officials from the State Intelligence Service, the STF Command, the Colombo Division, Western Province South Division, the Directors of the Financial Crimes Investigation Division, Criminal Records Division, and the Southern Expressway Traffic Division.

During yesterday’s operations, police also recovered a motorcycle believed to have been used in the crime.

Additionally, police seized over Rs. 1.2 million in cash, along with quantities of heroin, crystal methamphetamine (Ice), and equipment used to manufacture the drugs, from the suspects.

On the 22nd of October, Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara was shot dead by an unidentified gunman.