Four arrested over Hanwella shooting incident

Four suspects have been arrested yesterday (Sept 16) over the shooting of two persons in Hanwella this week which resulted in the death of an underworld figure, police said.

Special Task Force (STF) officers had arrested two suspects in Kaduwela following which two others had been apprehended in Dompe.

According to the police, an army deserter by the name of Madushanka Attanayake alias 'Gayya' - a wanted suspect in the killing of another underworld criminal, and Nayanakumara Munasinghe alias 'Munaya' had been arrested in Kaduwela.

Upon questioning of these suspects, STF officers had arrested two individuals identified as Salinda Silva and Shanaka Ratnayake alias 'Nadda' who had been hiding at a residence in Dompe.

Investigations have shown that the suspects had been previously released on bail after being accused over the killing of an underworld figure last year.

Police said that the recent shooting incident in Hanwella which resulted in the death of Suresh Rawatte alias 'Chooti Malli', had been manipulated by underworld leader Melan Mabula alias 'Urujuwa' who is in prison, through a telephone call.

A locally manufactured revolver gun, three rounds of live 9mm ammunition, a sword, a manna knife, and a bag manufactured with a material similar to that of an army fatigue had been apprehended from the four suspects.