Two criminals arrested

Sarath Malalasekera

The Special Investigation Unit attached to the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) on the direction of IGP Mahinda Balasuriya arrested two most wanted criminals from Dodanduwa and Mount Lavinia police divisions.

CCD DIG Anura Senanayake who oversees the Special Investigation Unit said that the two suspects now under detention are highly involved in a number of crimes committed throughout the country. The Special Unit also had recovered a SHE 66 automatic revolver and Wembley B 1900 revolver made in two foreign countries.

A high level investigation has also been carried out by the CCD Special Unit to ascertain whether the two suspects are involved in the massive robbery of over Rs 60 million which was brought to be deposited in teller machines in the Wattala police area recently, DIG Senanayake said. The Special Unit also had recovered 40 - 7.65mm live bullets, nine 9mm bullets, two special bullets and a vehicle bearing number WP KA 9506. These items have been recovered from the possession of the two suspects, now in custody, the DIG said. The suspects had committed a number of robberies including cash Rs 28 lakhs and Rs 178,210 from the Welipenna police area on June 30, 2010.

The two suspects are also involved in the MBSL Bank robbery of Rs 104,000 in Moratuwa-Rawatawatta police area on October 5, 2010 and robbery Rs 656,748 from the Piliyandala police area on September 30, 2010 and HDFC Bank robbery of Rs 529,610 on August 27, 2010 and robbery of Rs 600,000 from a three wheeler driver at Piliyandala on October 26, 2010.

These two suspects with several other suspects wanted by the police were also involved in a number of robberies in the Mt Lavinia and Kahathuduwa police areas, the DIG said.

The police are conducting investigations to ascertain whether these weapons and ammunition recovered from the possession of the two suspects belonged to LTTE suspects.

The CCD Special Team consisted of Inspector Jayantha Dharmakeerthi, Inspector Suresh Silva, SI Ajith Senanayake, Constables Sarath Chandra and Thusitha.