Sri Lanka Police says it is yet to receive an official confirmation on the death of wanted underworld kingpin Lasantha Perera alias ‘Angoda Lokka’.
Reports are circulating that Angoda Lokka had died in early July while in hiding in India.
Police Spokesman SSP Jaliya Senaratne said the suspect was wanted over various crimes committed in Sri Lanka but had fled abroad when attempts were made to arrest him.
Sri Lanka Police has not received official confirmation on his death and is taking necessary measures to obtain the official confirmation, he said.
“If the death of Angoda Lokka is confirmed, measures will be taken to present facts to court and decide on the future course of action with regard to the various cases filed against the suspect. However, investigations will continue against him until we receive an official confirmation on his death’, he said.
SSP Senaratne said the Sri Lanka Police is looking to make an official inquiry in this regard from the country the suspect has been reported dead.
The Police are also focussed on the possibility of Angoda Lokka faking his death to enter Sri Lanka or another country under disguise and continue committing crimes, he said.
SSP Senaratne said legal action pertaining to the current situation will be taken upon official confirmation on the suspect’s death.
Recent reports claimed Angoda Lokka had reportedly been killed in early July by poisoning while in hiding in India.
It was reported that his rivals in jail and abroad had conspired to assassinate him and had convinced Mulleriyawe Ratharan’s wife, who was residing with him, to poison him on 03 July.
The reports also claimed that the final rites of Angoda Lokka had taken place in India following his death.
Sri Lanka Police have described Angoda Lokka, who is the chief suspect wanted over the attack on a prison bus in Kalutara, as a rather elusive character.
The Police are yet to obtain a proper photograph of the 32-year-old Lasantha Chandana Perera, alias ‘Angoda Lokka’.
According to the Police, ‘Angoda Lokka’ had been forced into crime a week before getting a job as a prison jailor after passing his A/L exam, when he killed an underworld figure ‘Angoda Mocha’ who had been a nuisance to his neighbourhood. (Newswire)
