Two Police Teams Probe Deadly Port City Clash Involving Chinese Nationals

COLOMBO (News 1st):

Police say two police teams have launched investigations into the violent clash between two groups of Chinese nationals in Colombo Port City.

Police Media Spokesperson Assistant Superintendent of Police F. U. Wootler said the Colombo Harbour Police and Eheliyagoda Police are jointly conducting the investigation.

The Chinese nationals arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport in connection with the incident have been questioned, and a report will be submitted to the Inspector General of Police and the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka as soon as possible.

Police have also stepped up security for Chinese nationals living in Colombo Port City and the Colombo area under the supervision of the Senior DIG in charge of the Colombo District.

The clash took place late on Wednesday night inside Colombo Port City.

According to police, three Chinese nationals arrived in a rented cab at around 11 p.m. and were fishing from the suspension bridge.

Between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., around 20 Chinese nationals allegedly arrived in a black van, assaulted the three men, tied their hands and feet, blindfolded them, and threatened them with two pistols.

Police said two victims were left bound inside the van, while the third, identified as Hao Song, was abducted in another vehicle.

The two victims later freed themselves and alerted friends, who reported the incident to Colombo Harbour Police.

Last evening, the body of a Chinese national was discovered in a forested area in Karadana, Eheliyagoda.

Police said the victim's hands and feet were tied, he had been blindfolded, suffered severe injuries, and the body had been covered with stones.

The two injured Chinese nationals, who are receiving treatment at a private hospital, identified the deceased as Hao Song.

Investigators also recovered a vehicle believed to have been used to abduct him.

Inside the van where the two victims had allegedly been abandoned, police found a Glock 44 semi-automatic pistol, ammunition, and a VVK walkie-talkie.

Police said the van is registered to an individual in Ambalantota, while the rented cab belongs to a company based in Colombo 5.

Meanwhile, two Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in the incident were arrested while attempting to leave the country through Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake.

Separately, police recovered a luxury SUV believed to have been used by suspects involved in the attack. 

The vehicle was found in the Bope Junction area of Padukka, where officers also recovered a pair of shoes following a tip-off.

Padukka Police are continuing investigations.