Police have provided further details regarding a video circulating on social media showing officers from the Walipenna Police Station searching a house in the area.
According to Police, the search was carried out following several complaints received on October 3, 2026, concerning an alleged incident in which two individuals and several others had allegedly assaulted people at another residence while displaying sharp weapons and issuing death threats.
One of the complaints also involved an alleged sexual assault and threats against a woman.
Police said the main suspect believed to be residing at the house had allegedly been involved in the illegal liquor trade for a long period and had previously been arrested eight times in connection with such offences.
Police also said they had received information that the suspect was operating the illegal liquor trade while keeping several dogs at the residence.
According to Police, the suspect had also been arrested 14 times by the Walipenna, Ittapana and Matugama Police stations in connection with offences including possession of a firearm, narcotics, illicit liquor, gambling for money and criminal intimidation.
He had also previously been arrested by the Mirihana Special Investigations Unit while allegedly in possession of a foreign-made hand grenade, Police said.
Police said the search was conducted after taking into consideration the complaints received, information that the suspect was in possession of sharp weapons and his previous activities. Officers also took precautions due to information that the dogs at the residence could potentially be released during the operation.
The two main suspects were not present at the residence when the search was conducted.
Further investigations are underway to arrest the two suspects and eight other individuals allegedly connected to the incident.
Meanwhile, one suspect was arrested by the Walipenna Police and produced before court on October 3. He was subsequently produced at an identification parade on October 4, where he was identified, and was remanded until October 8. (Newswire)