Police on Saturday revealed further details regarding the arrest of the suspected gunman in the Akuregoda double murder, identifying him as a former Army soldier and confirming the recovery of a mobile phone believed to have been used in the crime.
The suspect was arrested on Feb. 21 in the Delduwa area of the Ambalangoda Police Division by officers of the Homagama Divisional Crime Investigation Unit, who were conducting parallel investigations with the Western Province South Crime Division.
Police said the 46-year-old suspect is a resident of Beruwala and a former member of the Sri Lanka Army. Investigations have revealed that he had legally left the Army during the general amnesty period granted in 2009.
The suspect was taken into custody along with a mobile phone allegedly used in the commission of the crime and was handed over to the Western Province South Crime Division for further investigations.
The shooting took place on Feb. 13 in the Akuregoda area within the Talangama Police Division, where a lawyer and his wife were shot dead while inside their car by two gunmen who arrived in another vehicle.
Police had earlier arrested three suspects in the Kottawa, Athurugiriya and Kahathuduwa police areas over allegedly aiding and abetting the crime and conspiring in the attack.
The suspect is due to be produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court. Further investigations are ongoing. (Newswire)
