Suspects in Matara jewellery shop heist before identification parade on Aug.6

Three suspect who were allegedly part of the robber gang  involved in a shootout with police outside a jewellery shop in Matara town on June 22 were yesterday ordered remanded in custody till August 6 by the Matara Acting Magistrate. The suspects are due to be produced for an identification parade on that day. 

The suspects were who ordered remanded were Dharmakeerthi Tharaka Perera Wijesekara alias 'Kosgoda Tharaka,' his brother Dharmakeerthi Maduka Nirmal Perera Wijesekera alias 'Kosgoda Maduka,' and Heerandeniya Gedara Athula Kithsiri Kumara alias 'Narammala Mala.' The first two suspects are residents of Nanatota, Nelligaskale, Kosgoda while the third suspect is a resident of Dutuwewa, Anuradhapura. 

The suspects were brought to court from the Angunukolapelessa prison in fully covered uniforms and under heavy police guard.

A police sergeant was killed and another two police officers and two civilians were injured in the shootout outside the jewellery store. Chamara Indrajith Jayasundara, alias 'Veyangoda Chamara,' one of the alleged robbers, was arrested for his role in the robbery that day. He was subsequently shot and killed by police when he allegedly tried to hurl a grenade at officers after going with a group of officers to show hidden weapons. 

The three suspects who were remanded yesterday sustained injuries in the gunfight and were subsequently left by the other robbers outside the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle. They were later arrested by police at the hospital while undergoing treatment. 

Three other suspects who were allegedly involved in the robbery remain at large. 

Text and Pix by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk  

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