Five more arrested over Bambalapitiya businessman’s murder

Five more suspects have been arrested in connection with the abduction and murder of a businessman from Bambalapitiya, police said today. 

The vehicle which is believed to have been used for the kidnapping has also been taken into custody. The arrested suspects are between ages 25 – 30.  

The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) yesterday arrested two suspects, both in their early twenties, over the murder.  

A 22-years-old and a 23-year-old were taken into custody by the CCD in Grandpass and Aduruppuweediya areas. 

Mohamed Shakeeb Sulaiman was found dead in Mawanella last Wednesday (24) three days after he was abducted near his residence in Bambalapitiya. A ransom demand of Rs 20 million had reportedly been made by the kidnappers. 

Eight investigative teams led by the CCD launched investigations into the incident after the partially decomposed body of the businessman, who was reported missing on Sunday (21) night, was discovered in Mawanella. 

On August 25, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued an order preventing overseas travel of 5 businessmen in connection with the murder. 

Police officers had questioned several friends and businessmen closely associated with the victim. 

According to the complaint lodged with Bambalapitiya Police by the victim’s wife, Sulaiman had returned home after attending a function at around 11.15pm on Sunday (21) and had called out to his wife from outside their home in Kothalawala Avenue in Colombo 04.  

However, when his wife had opened the door she only found a food parcel and her husband’s wristwatch on the ground outside the house.   

The complaint which had been lodged the same night states that she believes her husband was abducted by individuals hiding near their home.    

The following day police had sought the assistance from the public in order to locate the missing businessman.