Army Captain among five arrested for bank employee’s murder

Rafik JALALDEEN

Five suspects including an Army Captain were arrested in connection with the murder of an Assistant Bank Manager on April 4 in Puwakoya, Kosgama.

Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said a decomposed unidentified body of a male was found under a culvert in Labugama Road, Puwakoya on April 4.

“The body was later identified as Gunasinghe Premathilake, a resident of Idampothota, Ambalangoda. The victim was an Assistant Manager of a bank in Kollupitiya,” he added. The victim’s brother complained to the Colombo Criminal Division since Kosgama police could not find the culprit.

Following a thorough investigation, a CCD team arrested five suspects including an Army captain, two Corporals and two soldiers. “The main suspect in the murder was the Army Captain. All five were serving in the same unit,” SSP Gunasekera told the Daily News.

During interrogation it was revealed that Premathilake and the Army Captain had an intimate relationship and were living in an apartment in Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 3. Due to a personal dispute, the Army Captain had allegedly killed Premathilake, it was revealed. “On April 1, Premathilake and the Army Captain with other four suspects had gone to Avissawella on a hired van to rent a house. The Army Captain has got down on the way saying that he has an urgent matter to attend to. The other four suspects allegedly strangled the victim using boot lace,” he added.

SSP Gunasekera said a gold chain and a bracelet belonging to the victim were mortgaged by the suspects. “The victim’s mobile phone could not be traced still,” he added.