Slaying of MP: Eight arrested

While Scotland Yard assistance is being sought to find the killers of Jaffna Parliamentarian Nadarajah Raviraj, the Police have also made significant progress in the investigations.

Deputy Inspector General Pujith Jayasundera said one suspect believed to be closely involved in the killing was arrested in Wellawatte. On information given by him, seven others were also taken in.

He said the arrests were made during cordon-and-search operations in Wellawatte, Borella, Narahenpita and Cinnamon Gardens areas.

He said the CID was grilling the suspects while several eyewitnesses had also come forward to give evidence.

CID detectives will seek information from phone companies such as Sri Lanka Telecom, Dialogue GSM and Mobitel regarding calls received and taken by Mr. Raviraj on the days before his killing. Detectives said they had obtained the registration numbers of the three wheeler and motorbike used in the killing and they were on the trail of the owners.

They said they were now aware that the motorbike used for the killing bore the number plate JE 3500. Two people were involved in the slaying – the rider and the pillion rider.

The detectives have also found that the assassin had dropped his T-56 assault rifle which was covered in a cricket bag and his helmet and fled the scene after the shooting. The TNA MP was leaving his house in Matha Mawatha, off Elvitigala road when he was shot.

Meanwhile, a Foreign Ministry official said that on the directions of President Rajapaksa they had told the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in London to get in touch with Scotland Yard and explore the possibility of getting some top detectives to assist in the probe.