Suranga Sanjeewa Karunaratne alias “Matiya”, suspected of acting as the gunman for organized crime figure ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’, was arrested last night at Katunayake International Airport.
Police said the suspect, a resident of Kotugoda, Yagodamulla, was detained by Malaysian security forces and deported to Sri Lanka, where officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) took him into custody upon arrival.
Authorities noted that an international red notice had been issued against him.
He faces charges over the July 2022 shooting near the Gampaha Court premises, in which organized criminal “Paspodda” was killed and several others injured.
Following initial questioning, the suspect was handed over to the Western Province North Crimes Division for further investigations. Police confirmed that a 72‑hour detention order has been obtained to continue inquiries. (Newswire)