Two Sri Lankan criminals believed to be hiding in Dubai allegedly directed the deadly shooting in Halpathota, Baddegama, according to information revealed during police questioning.
Police have arrested three suspects accused of providing transportation and other assistance in connection with the attack, which left two people dead and another injured.
The three suspects were arrested in the Gonapinuwala area by officers of the Elpitiya Divisional Crime Detective Bureau. More than 16 grams of heroin were also allegedly recovered from their possession.
Police said the suspects revealed during questioning that the shooting was directed by two Sri Lankan criminals currently believed to be in Dubai. One of them is reportedly a close associate of the criminal known as “Karandeniya Sudda.”
The shooting took place last morning (27) when a woman allegedly linked to the drug network of imprisoned drug trafficker “Loku Patty” was travelling in a hired three-wheeler with her mother in the Halpathota area.
According to police, the three-wheeler was pursued by a group travelling in a car. The attackers opened fire using a T-56 firearm before fleeing the scene.
The driver of the three-wheeler was killed at the scene. The woman also died while being taken to hospital, while her mother sustained gunshot injuries.
Police allege that the three suspects arrested in Gonapinuwala had provided transportation for the driver and gunman involved in the attack, allegedly acting on instructions from the Dubai-based criminals.
Investigators say the attackers initially travelled in a vehicle provided by the suspects. However, the vehicle reportedly developed a mechanical fault about 200 metres from the planned location of the shooting.
The suspects allegedly told investigators that, after receiving a telephone call about the breakdown, they took the driver and gunman to another location and provided them with a different vehicle to carry out the attack.
Police are also investigating whether two of the suspects had been stopped and questioned by Middeniya Police the previous night after allegedly behaving suspiciously in Middeniya town. They were reportedly released after their identities were established.
The vehicle that reportedly developed the mechanical fault and a three-wheeler allegedly connected to the incident have since been taken into police custody.
Further investigations are being carried out by the Elpitiya Divisional Crime Detective Bureau and several other police teams.
