Police shoot gang leader in self - defence

Rafik Jalaldeen and Panadura Group Corr

Police acting in self-defence shot dead an underworld leader when he attempted to hurl a hand grenade from his hide-out in Weragama, Wadduwa last morning, OIC Wadduwa Nimal Karunaratne said.

Harshana Nuwan Silva alias Sambaba was arrested in Kandy on Tuesday and handed over to Wadduwa police. "Sambaba was a notorious criminal and was wanted by police.

He carried out many criminal activities all over the country such as robbery, extortion and even murder," IP Karunaratne said.

During interrogation, Sambaba disclosed to Wadduwa police where he hid weapons used for crimes.

A police team was deployed to accompany Sambaba to find the weapons yesterday around 5.00 am. Sambaba led the police team behind his house near a marshy land in Weragama. Police unearthed a T56 assault rifle and a magazine", the OIC said.

"While inspecting the vicinity, Sambaba attempted to remove the pin of a hand grenade intending to hurl it at police. Police shot the gangster as self-defence", he added. Sambaba succumbed to his injuries at the Panadura hospital.