Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of a 24-year-old resident of Wellampitiya who was reported missing on October 14, 2025, police stated.

The Grandpass Police Station had initially commenced investigations into the disappearance, which are now being conducted by the Colombo District Crimes Division.

During investigations, it was revealed that on October 11, 2025, the missing individual had been consuming alcohol with several other persons at a vehicle repair workshop in the Kambikotuwawatta area, which falls within the jurisdiction of the Grandpass Police Station.

Investigations further revealed that, following his disappearance, the individuals who had been drinking with him had fled the area, police said.

On October 30, 2026, a team of officers from the Colombo District Crimes Division arrested two suspects who had reportedly been consuming alcohol with the missing individual.

One was apprehended near the Kalu Palama (Black Bridge) in Mabola, while the other was arrested in the Mahara area, according to police.

Based on information elicited during the interrogation of these suspects, two additional individuals suspected of being connected to the incident were subsequently arrested in the Uswetakeiyawa area.

The arrested suspects are aged 29, 32, 37 and 46, and are residents of the Wellampitiya and Agalawatta areas, police said.

Further questioning of the suspects had revealed that the missing individual had been murdered at a vehicle repair workshop within the Grandpass Police Division.

His body had subsequently been set on fire in the Papiliyawala area, within the Kirindiwela Police Division, and the remaining human remains had allegedly been disposed of in the Kelani River from the Ranwala Bridge, which falls within the Kosgama Police Division.

Details of the findings were reported to the Pugoda Magistrate's Court on November 1, 2026. A crime scene investigation was subsequently conducted by the Gampaha Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit in the presence of the Pugoda Magistrate and the Judicial Medical Officer attached to the Wathupitiwala Hospital.

During the investigation, officers had recovered several items suspected to be connected to the crime, including a motorcycle ignition key, an amulet, bone fragments and a piece of burnt tent fabric, police stated.

The items were taken into police custody and secured as case productions.

On November 1, 2026, a further inspection was conducted in the Kelani River near the Ranwala Bridge, within the Kosgama Police Division, where the suspects had allegedly disposed of bone fragments and other human remains following the murder and the subsequent burning of the body.

The inspection was carried out by the Avissawella Magistrate and the Seethawaka Crime Scene Investigation Unit, with the assistance of divers from the Sri Lanka Navy.

The findings of the investigation were also reported to the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court.

The four arrested suspects have been remanded until November 2, 2026.

The Colombo District Crimes Division is conducting further investigations into the incident.