Murder suspect killed

Rafik Jalaldeen

Police shot dead a murder suspect in self-defence when he attempted to shoot a Police Constable yesterday morning in Mawathagama, Padukka.

Police media spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said alleged murderer and criminal S.K.S. Wimalaratne (30) was arrested by police on Sunday in Padukka area.

"Wimalaratne was suspected to have committed several robberies and other crimes including a murder in the area," SSP Gunasekera added.

The Government Analyst requested the police to bring clothes used by Wimalaratne to match blood samples of the murder victim to ascertain whether Wimalaratne had committed the murder.

"A police team from Padukka had gone with Wimalaratne to dispatch the clothes which he was wearing at the time of the crime from his hideout in Mawathagama area around 5.30 a.m," SSP Gunasekera told the Daily News.

When the police team arrived at the scene, Wimalaratne grabbed a PC's pistol and while he was attempting to shoot the PC a Police Inspector shot the suspect in self defence, he pointed out.

The suspect was killed on the spot.