Four arrested for helping gunman escape police custody

Police have arrested four more suspects on charges of facilitating the escape of a murder suspect from police custody. 

The murder suspect was arrested by the Katunayake Airport Police on February 24 while trying to board a flight out of the country. He was the alleged gunman who shot and killed an individual at Hanwella. The suspect later escaped from police custody. 

Four suspects who helped facilitate his escape by providing transport facilities, lodging, food and cash were arrested yesterday (13) by the Crime Investigation Unit of the Negombo Police. 

The suspects, aged 28 to 43 years are residents of Katuwellegama, Negombo and Minuwangoda. Police Media Unit said 6.9 grams of heroin was also recovered from one of the suspects. 

Police have also taken into custody the vehicle allegedly used to transport the alleged gunman to Negombo after his escape from the Katunayaka Airport Police on February 24. Two other vehicles allegedly used by the four suspects were also taken into police custody. 

The four suspects are due to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate's Court today.