Criminal shot dead

Rafik JALALDEEN

A most wanted criminal was shot dead by police in self defence on Wednesday night at Mills Street, Keselwatte.

Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said S.N. Kumara Withanage (24) a hardcore criminal wanted for a series of crimes was arrested by Colombo Criminal Division on June 24 along with two T56 magazines and 37 ammunition.

The T56 rifle used by the suspect was missing. During interrogations, the suspect had revealed the place where he was hiding his gun.

“A team from the CCD has accompanied the suspect to his hideout, a location behind BCC company in Mills Street, Keselwatte around 7.30 pm,” he added.

SSP Gunasekera said Withanage grabbed his T56 rifle from the hideout and attempted to attack the CCD team.

An officer from the CCD shot the suspect in self defence.