Accidental deaths revealed as double murder

Sandasen MARASINGHE

The death of two youths in Bulathkohupitiya one year ago, which the Police believed were accidental deaths, has turned out to be a double murder. The new evidence unearthed pointing to homicide was solely due to the ingenuity of the Police. One of the suspect’s was arrested on Tuesday.

Police Spokesman SP Ajith Rohana said that the crime was unraveled and the suspect arrested by Pussallawa Police.

He said the crime had been committed in March 2011 at Pelampitiya road, Bulathkohupitiya. The victims were identified as Mahadurage Nadeesha Pushpa Kumara, 23, of Thunabage and Mahawedaralalage Sanjeewa Hemachandra, 18, of Gangaweraliya, Dedugala. They were found dead in a stream along with the three-wheeler they were traveling.

It was decided that death of the two men was accidental due to the three-wheeler having veered into the stream.

The Police Spokesman said that Pussallawa Police, following investigations revealed that the victims did not die accidentally but it was a double murder which was committed by beating them with metal poles.

He said the suspect was handed over to Bulathkohupitiya Police for further investigations.

The Police said they were informed that a stranger was working in an estate in Pussallawa. The Police was on alert for quite a long period and finally arrested the suspect.

When the Police questioned the suspect based on information the Police found out, he had revealed details about the crime.

According to the suspect, he had committed the crime with another person to hide evidence of another crime.

The suspect was arrested by a group of Pussallawa Police led by IP Thalwatta under the guidance of OIC Chief Inspector S Raharathnam on the instructions of ASP Chulani Weeraratne on the supervision of DIG Roshan Fernando.