The Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court has granted permission for the police to detain the three suspects arrested in connection with the recent triple murder in Middeniya, for 72 hours for further questioning.

The three suspects were apprehended in relation to the deaths of three individuals, including a six-year-old girl and a nine-year-old boy, on Tuesday (18) night.

Police revealed that during the investigation, two handcuffs were found near the crime scene, which were traced back to a police officer.

This led to the arrest of the 35-year-old police constable, who is attached to the Tangalle Headquarters Police Station. 

He was arrested in the Keppitiyawa area of the Weeraketiya Police Division yesterday (21) by officers of the Middeniya police station.

The shooting occurred targeting a man travelling by motorcycle with his two children near the Kadewatta Junction in Middeniya on Tuesday night. 

The father, who was riding the motorcycle, was killed on the spot. His son and daughter, who were critically injured, were rushed to the Embilipitiya and Tangalle hospitals. 

Despite receiving medical treatment, the six-year-old daughter succumbed to her injuries shortly after being admitted to the Tangalle Hospital, while the nine-year-old son died the following day.