A total of 46 shootings have been reported across the nation between 01 January to date this year, Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga said. 

Addressing the media today, SSP Manatunga said that 31 of the shootings had been orchestrated by organized gangs. 

He further said that investigations have been launched into the shootings and steps are being taken to arrest those involved. 

Over 100 suspects have been arrested so far in connection with these 31 shootings, the Police Spokesman said.

“We have also seized 41 firearms, including 27 pistols and 14 T-56 weapons linked to the shootings. The Police have taken custody of these illegal firearms,” he added. (Newswire)

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A four-member Police Committee has been appointed to study and investigate the Presidential Commission of Inquiry report on the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

According to Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manathunga, the committee is headed by a Senior DIG, Asanka Karawita.

The remaining members consist of the DIG in charge of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the Director of the CID, and the Director of the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID). 

Speaking to the media, the Police Spokesman said several more sub-committees have been appointed under the purview of the main committee, which have already commenced studying the report.

SSP Manathunga said new investigations will be launched based on the fresh information uncovered during the ongoing examination of the report, which consists of over 66,000 pages.  

On 20 April, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry report into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks was officially handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

According to Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala, the report was handed over by the Secretary to the President following a directive from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. (Newswire)

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Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga says he has requested a transfer and has not resigned as claimed in recent media reports. 

Speaking to the media, SSP Buddhika Manatunga said a Police Officer has no option of resigning from a duty delegated to him/her.

The Police Spokesman further clarified that he had requested a transfer due to personal reasons. 

“I have submitted a request for transfer. Until a suitable appointment is made by the National Police Commission and relevant authorities, I will continue to work in the post of Police Spokesman,” he explained. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police says it has sufficient evidence to prove that the actual gunman in the murder of underworld kingpin Genemulla Sanjeewa has been arrested.

Addressing the media today, Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga said the mobile phone used by the gunman on the day of the shooting has been seized by authorities.

He further said, based on the confession of the suspect, the Police were able to find the clothes used by the suspect during the shooting, which were discarded in a different location.

Based on the confession, the Police had also visited a lodge in which the gunman had stayed the day before the shooting, with the authorities inspecting CCTV footage for evidence, he said. 

SSP Manatunga assured that sufficient evidence has been collected to prove that the arrested suspect is the gunman. 

The Police Spokesman further said, however, steps are being taken to conduct facial recognition with the assistance of the Government Analyst Department to confirm the identities of the arrested suspect and the gunman in the CCTV footage from the court premises. 

He also stated that the suspect’s fingerprints and DNA will be obtained for this purpose, while the assistance of experts will also be sought.

Stating that the Police are working on collecting evidence to prove the gunman in the incident, he said, however, the judiciary will determine the action to be taken regarding him. 

The Police Spokesman made the remarks in response to media questions on reports of confusion between the arrested suspect and the actual gunman in the murder of underworld kingpin Ganemulla Sanjeewa. (Newswire)

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