Temple Chief incumbent hacked to death Two suspects shot dead
Sandasen MARASINGHE
The chief incumbent of Sunanda Upananda Viharasthanaya Buddhist
temple in Egoda Uyana, Moratuwa, was hacked to death on Sunday night.
The two suspects who fled after committing the crime, were found shot
dead yesterday morning in Delkada, Bandaragama.
Police investigations revealed that the temple’s Chief Incumbent Ven
Metigahatenne Vimalavansa Thera was killed as a result of a dispute with
a criminal gang residing in an illegally built house in the land owned
by the temple.
It was reported that following the killing of the chief incumbent,
villagers set fire to the house occupied by the suspects in the temple
land.
Police Spokesman SSP Prishantha Jayakody said the monk had filed a
civil case against the suspects in connection with their forcible
occupation of the temple land. He said the monk had lodged a fresh
complaint against the suspects at the Moratuwa Police on the morning of
the killing. The victims were identified as Sujith Gunaratne and Randima
Ruwanratne.
Moratuwa Police are investigating assisted by officers attached to
the Crime Investigation Unit of the Mount Lavinia Police Division.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Mayor of Moratuwa was arrested yesterday
evening in connection with the killing of the Chief Incumbent of
Egodauyana Sunday Upananda Viharaya, Police said. |