Temple Chief incumbent hacked to death Two suspects shot dead

Sandasen MARASINGHE

The chief incumbent of Sunanda Upananda Viharasthanaya Buddhist temple in Egoda Uyana, Moratuwa, was hacked to death on Sunday night. The two suspects who fled after committing the crime, were found shot dead yesterday morning in Delkada, Bandaragama.

Police investigations revealed that the temple’s Chief Incumbent Ven Metigahatenne Vimalavansa Thera was killed as a result of a dispute with a criminal gang residing in an illegally built house in the land owned by the temple.

It was reported that following the killing of the chief incumbent, villagers set fire to the house occupied by the suspects in the temple land.

Police Spokesman SSP Prishantha Jayakody said the monk had filed a civil case against the suspects in connection with their forcible occupation of the temple land. He said the monk had lodged a fresh complaint against the suspects at the Moratuwa Police on the morning of the killing. The victims were identified as Sujith Gunaratne and Randima Ruwanratne.

Moratuwa Police are investigating assisted by officers attached to the Crime Investigation Unit of the Mount Lavinia Police Division.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Mayor of Moratuwa was arrested yesterday evening in connection with the killing of the Chief Incumbent of Egodauyana Sunday Upananda Viharaya, Police said.