Two detainees shot dead in escape bid

Rafik Jalaldeen

COLOMBO: Two hardcore criminals who tried to escape while in police captivity were shot dead by police guards yesterday.

According to Divulapitiya police the suspects were arrested a few days ago in connection with several robberies and murder cases.

The suspects who were being held at the Negombo Police had been in the most wanted list for several years and always managed to escape after arrest, police said.

According to Police the suspects had lied to the police that they were aware where a weapons cache was hidden and lured the police officers to the place.

On the way they had tried to strangle the police officers using the chain of their handcuffs and suddenly broke free.

The Divulapitiya police said that the police officers shot the fleeing detainees who later succumbed to their injuries.

The suspects are A.Raj Peiris, a resident of Kochchikade and R.V. Chaturanga Peiris, a resident of Seeduwa.