Forest officer, ex-constable arrested over Rathgama killings

A forest officer attached to the Kanumuldeniya forest reserve and a police constable were arrested yesterday (Mar 03) over the killing of two businessmen in Rathgama.

The forest officer was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) after investigations revealed that he had aided and abetted in burning the bodies of the two businessmen.

The suspect who is a 39-year old resident of Wehalla, Dickwella is due to be produced before the Galle Magistrates Court today.

Meanwhile, a former police constable attached to the Southern Police Special Investigations unit was also arrested after he had surrendered before the CID.

The constable is reported to have absconded arrest since the incident had taken place.

An interrogation is being carried out on the suspect following a 48-hour detention order issued by court to carry out further questioning.

Meanwhile, the mobile phones of the businessmen have been recovered by Navy personnel after the constable had revealed that the victims' phones were thrown into a lagoon in Dickwella.