A man and a woman were killed, while another woman sustained serious injuries and was admitted to Karapitiya Hospital following an alleged sword attack in Thelikada, Galle.

Police stated that a retired Army soldier has been arrested on suspicion in connection with the incident.

A person had reportedly attacked three members of the same family with a sharp weapon this morning (03) in the Mawadavila Acre 13 area, within the Thelikada Police Division in Galle.

Police stated that the incident occurred at around 6:00 a.m. today and that although measures were taken to hospitalize the victims, two individuals succumbed to their injuries.

The deceased have been identified as the grandmother of the family and her granddaughter’s husband.

One of the deceased woman’s daughters, who sustained serious injuries in the attack, is currently receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of Karapitiya Hospital. Police further noted that one of her arms had been severed during the attack.

The suspect who allegedly carried out the attack has been arrested by Thelikada Police. He has been identified as the husband of the deceased woman’s other daughter, who is currently employed in Italy. 

The suspect, a 35-year-old resident of the Dalawella area in Unawatuna, was revealed by police to be a former soldier of the Sri Lanka Army.

According to police, the suspect committed these murders due to a long-standing family dispute.

Officers from the Police Crimes Unit of the Elpitiya Division have conducted an on-site investigation.

Further inquiries are being carried out by the OIC of the Crimes Division, under the instructions of the Acting OIC of Thelikada Police.