Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the shooting death of a businessman in the Vettuma Kade area of Kalutara on May 28, police stated.

The Walana Anti-Vice Squad said the arrested individuals include the main suspect believed to have planned the attack, as well as another person accused of providing assistance and shelter to the perpetrators.

Investigations have revealed that the second suspect allegedly helped harbor those who carried out the killing.

The arrests were made in the Kalutara town. Police also recovered 22,630 milligrams of the Crystal Methamphetamine (‘Ice’) in possession of the main suspect.

The victim, 43-year-old businessman Pakir Mohamed Mohamed Shafiq of Kalutara South, was shot dead on suspicion of providing information to police.

Police said the vehicle used by the armed assailants was later discovered on an alternate road near a post office in the Thebuwana Police Division. Another van believed to have been used in the crime was also found abandoned in Dodangoda on the same day.

Investigations revealed that the murder was orchestrated by an organized crime leader known as Bombuwala Navin, through an associate identified as Mohamed Imran, according to the Walana Anti-Vice Squad.

Police further allege that Bombuwala Navin was involved in arranging the gunmen, supplying weapons, coordinating the attack and ensuring their safe escape after the shooting.

The main suspect, Imran, is a resident of Kalutara, while the second suspect is from Eheliyagoda.

Further investigations are underway to arrest additional suspects, including the shooters and those involved in supplying firearms.

The Walana Anti-Vice Squad continues to investigate the incident.