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| Tuesday, 5 August 2003 |
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Suspect arrested in tense drama by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi and Asanga Warnakulasuriya The suspected assassin of Western Provincial Councillor Sunil Mendis, known as Nandana was taken into custody by the Western Province North Crime Division on Saturday amidst high drama. Police arrested the underworld figure after a high speed chase and finally firing at the vehicle in which the suspect rode at Bellakapapu Junction, Homagama. Police also recovered a 9mm automatic pistol which is alleged to be the murder weapon. Police got on the trail of the suspect employing a clever dodge where another individual arrested in connection with the same case was used to contact the main suspect. It is learnt that the alleged assassin who received a telephone call had come to the pre-arranged location as agreed . Nandana not knowing he was walking into a trap set by Police had arrived at the Bellakapapu junction in a brand new vehicle. Another person known as "Kota Gamini" who was with the suspect had opened fire at Police. They then took off at high speed forcing the police fire at the fleeing suspects. They were finally brought to a halt at a snap road block. "Kota Gamini" who is alleged to have taken over the contract killing had fled through a road sewer. Police said the particular vehicle had been hi-jacked from its owner a millionaire businessman while he was returning in it having just cleared it from the Customs. Besides, another 1.5 pistol and seven live bullets have also been recovered from the procession of the suspect. Already, three suspects including a Pradeshiya Sabha member are in Police custody in connection with the murder of WPC Sunil Mendis. Besides, Police has launched a hunt for the arrest of two other suspects who are allegedly involved in the murder. The suspect is believed to be a key member of an underworld gang led by a notorious individual named "Guna". An underworld informant who was taken into custody by Fort Police had led to the arrests. This informant had confessed to the Police that the killers had partied at his residence in Kiribathgoda following the killing of Sunil Mendis. He had also confessed to Police on how the killers had described the details of the murder, after consuming alcohol. Investigation was carried out under the direction of Western Province North DIG, Padmasiri Liyanage assisted by SP Hemasiri Vithana, ASP Priyantha Jayakody and the Peliyagoda Police by OIC Crimes Jayantha Dharmakeerthi with CI Chandana Galapathi, SI Chandana Gamage, SI Sampath and IP Gamini Ratnayake. |
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