The Homagama Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to eight suspects who were arrested and remanded over the murder of businessman Surendra Wasantha Perera alias ‘Club Wasantha’ in Athurugiriya in July this year. 

The suspects were yesterday released under strict conditions, and each on a cash bail of Rs. 100,000 and two surety bails. 

The Homagama Magistrate also imposed an overseas travel ban on the suspects, ordering them to hand over their passports to the court.

The suspects were further ordered to report to the Athurugiriya Police Station every Sunday. 

Club Wasantha was shot dead by unknown gunmen while attending the opening of a tattoo parlour in Athurugiriya in July.

Following the shooting, the Police arrested 18 individuals, including a woman and a former Western Provincial Councillor.

Police investigations had also found that the death of Club Wasantha was a meticulously planned contract killing orchestrated from abroad. (Newswire)

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Twelve suspects, including former Western Provincial Councillor Amal Silva, who were arrested in connection to the murder of businessman Club Wasantha in Athurugiriya in July this year, have been further remanded. 

The group was further remanded until September 13 after being produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court. 

Surendra Wasantha Perera alias Club Wasantha and another individual were shot dead by two unknown gunmen while attending the opening of a tattoo studio in Athurugiriya in July. 

Several suspects, including the owner of the tattoo studio, were arrested soon after the shooting.

One of the gunmen was arrested on 23rd August, while the other was apprehended on 28th August in the Pinwatta area of Panadura. 

On 29th August, former Western Provincial Councillor Amal Silva was arrested for aiding and providing lodging to one gunman and the driver of the car involved in the shooting. 

Police investigations are underway into the murder of Club Wasantha. (Newswire)

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The arrest of two more suspects, including the second shooter, in the murder of businessman Club Wasantha has brought to light more information related to the shooting.

The suspects were arrested near the Panadura bus stop yesterday based on a tip-off. Following their arrest, the suspects have reportedly revealed that the Police’s move to seek public support for their arrest had resulted in them being unable to find refuge.

Interrogation of the suspects revealed that through the coordination of an individual residing in Dubai, they had been brought to a house in Athurugiriya a few days prior to the shooting.

According to media reports, the suspects said that the day after the incident, another individual arrived at the house and instructed them on the shooting, showing them a photograph of Club Wasantha as the target. However, they did not recognize this individual at the time. It was only after the murder, when they saw the evening TV news, that they realized they had shot Club Wasantha.

The individual had also provided the two shooters with T-56 firearms with ammunition marked with the signature KPI, after which he had left the house. 

Further interrogations had revealed that one shooter had assumed singer Sujeewa’s husband was a private security officer of Club Wasantha and had hence opened fire at him, after which he had fired at Club Wasantha until running out of ammunition. It was revealed that the second suspect had thereafter, opened fire at Club Wasantha as well. 

Following the shooting the two suspects had travelled in the car to a spot where they had then transferred to a van, after which they had travelled to Kadawatha, and from there to Matara in a bus. Another individual is said to have arrived and taken possession of the weapons, after having reached Matara. 

In Matara, the suspects said they had been in hiding during which underworld figure ‘Loku Patti’ who is residing in Dubai, had reached out to them via a telephone call and had extended his wishes for carrying out the shooting.

The suspects had revealed that only after news reports emerged did they realise they had been involved in the murder of Club Wasantha. The Police said investigations have found that the suspects had received Rs. 250,000 on multiple occasions for the murder.

From Kataragama, the suspects had split up but were unable to find refuge due to the Police having sought the public’s assistance to apprehend them.

The Police said the suspects had revealed at this point, that they had received instructions from Dubai to move to former Western Provincial Councilor Amal Silva’s house. The suspects had resided at Amal Silva’s house for nearly 20 days during which time, the former Provincial Councilor had also provided them with mobile phones.

Following the multiple arrests, the Police were able to recover a 9mm pistol and ammunition bearing the markings of KPI from the house in which the suspects had stayed in Athurugiriya prior to the shooting.

The suspects have been handed over to the Athurugiriya Police for further investigations. 

Meanwhile, during interrogations by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID), the suspects revealed that the shooting had been organized by ‘Loku Patti’. (Newswire)

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Former Western Provincial Councillor Amal Silva has been arrested in connection to the murder of businessman Club Wasantha in Athurugiriya in July this year. 

Acting Police Spokesman DIG Ruwan Gunasekera told Newswire that the former Western Provincial Councillor was arrested for aiding and providing lodging to one gunman and the driver of the car involved in the shooting. 

Amal Silva’s arrest comes after the Police arrested the second gunman and the driver of the car involved in the shooting yesterday. The suspects were apprehended in the Pinwatta area of Panadura. 

Surendra Wasantha Perera alias Club Wasantha and another individual were shot dead by two unknown gunmen while attending the opening of a tattoo studio in Athurugiriya in July. (Newswire)

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Eleven (11) suspects who were arrested and remanded in connection to the murder of businessman Club Wasantha in Athurugiriya in July, have been further remanded. 

The group, including a woman, were produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court under high security today. 

The Kaduwela Magistrate ordered the suspects to be further remanded until September 02.

The court had also ordered the Police to hand over the remaining investigations into the murder to the Western Province South Crimes Division.

As the Attorney representing the suspects had informed the court of threats to their lives, the Kaduwela Magistrate has also ordered the authorities to provide the relevant security for their safety.

Surendra Wasantha Perera alias Club Wasantha and another individual were shot dead by two unknown gunmen while attending the opening of a tattoo studio in the Athurugiriya area on July 08. (Newswire)

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A total of 11 suspects have been arrested so far in connection to the shooting incident in Athurugiriya in July, in which businessman Club Wasantha was killed.

The Police said a 36-year-old resident of Darga Town was arrested at the Southern Expressway Service Centre and handed over to the Athurugiriya Police yesterday.

The suspect was arrested for having provided a rented house for the shooters, as well as aiding in obtaining the van that was used to transport the shooters and the weapons from Ambalangoda to Athurugiriya.

Interrogation of the suspect revealed that the bus used to transport the suspects on the Southern Expressway following the shooting had been sold to a resident of Kataragama. 

Officials from the Western Province South Crimes Division seized the vehicle yesterday and handed it over to the Athurugiriya Police. Further investigations are underway by the Athurugiriya Police. (Newswire)

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Two more suspects have been arrested in connection to the shooting in Athurugiriya in which businessman Club Wasantha was killed.

The Police said the suspects who had aided the shooting were arrested in the Athurugiriya and Battaramulla areas yesterday.

Preliminary investigations reveal one suspect had transported one shooter and the driver of the car used in the shooting from Korathota to Welihinda in a van. He had ensured the two suspects had gotten into a bus prepared for their travel and had later abandoned the van in the Bulathsinghala area.

The second suspect is reported to have driven the shooter and driver of the car from Welihinda to Dickwella via the southern expressway using the bus and after having dropped them, had hidden the bus in the Sella Kataragama area. 

Investigations have further revealed that the second suspect had been in communication with an organised criminal residing overseas and his mobile phone has been taken into Police custody.

The arrested suspects are aged 26 and 36 and are residents of Welipenna and Ahungalle. 

The Western Province South Crimes Division and the Athurugiriya Police are conducting investigations. (Newswire)

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Disciplinary action will not be taken against the group of Police officers, including a DIG, for having conducted an interrogation in front of the media of the owner of the tattoo studio in which businessman Club Wasantha was shot dead, Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles said.

Addressing the media today, Minister Alles said the Western Province- South Deputy Inspector General of Police had been warned against committing such a mistake again.

He further said that the DIG has informed him that he will take responsibility to ensure that a similar incident does not occur in the future.

Minister Tiran Alles further said that the public interrogation had taken place due to the pressure on the Police at the time related to the shooting incident. 

Businessman ‘Club Wasantha’ and another individual were killed and four others injured after two gunmen opened fire inside a tattoo studio in Athurugiriya on July 10. 

The Police came under fire for having conducted an open interrogation of the owner of the tattoo studio who had divulged crucial details on the masterminds of the shooting. 

The man was seen claiming that a Sri Lankan involved in drug peddling and residing overseas had instructed him to invite Club Wasantha for the opening of the tattoo studio. 

The Police had faced severe backlash for interrogating the suspect in front of the media, with concerns being raised on the investigations into the murder. (Newswire)

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All but two individuals wanted over the recent shooting incident in Athurugiriya have been arrested, Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles said. 

Addressing the media today, he said the authorities had apprehended those who had been involved in the stage-by-stage planning of the shooting.

Businessman ‘Club Wasantha’ and another individual were killed and four others injured after two gunmen opened fire inside a tattoo studio in Athurugiriya on July 10. 

When asked about the wealth and money source of Club Wasantha, Minister Alles said he was known to operate several clubs through which he had earned income. 

The minister added that, however, ongoing investigations have revealed that at the time of his death, Club Wasantha was known to have taken loans from several people across the country and was penniless.

Commenting on the recent shootings in Embilipitiya and Ambalangoda, Minister Tiran Alles said the suspects involved in the shootings have been arrested. 

Stating that some suspects involved in shooting incidents have managed to flee the country, the minister said measures are being taken to arrest them. 

He added that, however, the shootings cannot be prevented due to the wide circulation of illegal weapons in the country. 

The Minister of Public Security urged the public to inform the authorities if they are privy to information on places or people with illegal weapons. (Newswire)

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Special Task Force (STF) Commandant Senior DIG Waruna Jayasundara has expressed his belief that the shooters involved in the recent Club Wasantha murder are highly trained individuals.

In a conversation with journalist Chamuditha Samarawikrama, Senior DIG Waruna Jayasundara suggested that these individuals might possess a military or police background, given their proficiency with weapons.

DIG Jayasundara emphasized that the police should consider all possibilities and work diligently to apprehend the shooters to uncover those responsible for orchestrating this crime. He highlighted the importance of a thorough investigation to determine the backgrounds and affiliations of the suspects.

Speaking about apprehending suspects related to shooting incidents, he mentioned that the STF successfully apprehended two shooters involved in a murder in Kolonna last week. The suspects were caught with the firearms allegedly used in the crime. During the investigation, it was revealed that “Rotumba Amila,” a member of an organized crime syndicate operating a drug network from overseas, had hired the suspects to carry out the murder, he added.

When questioned about an incident where weapons were found at Club Wasantha’s house in 2020, Senior DIG Jayasundara confirmed that the STF had discovered weapons and handed them over to the area police for further investigation. However, when asked what happened to the weapons discovered in Club Wasantha’s house in 2020, he said that he is unaware of their current status as the STF had only carried out the arrests. He explained that the STF does not conduct follow-up inquiries or court proceedings related to arrests, leaving such matters to the area police and judicial authorities. (Newswire)

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Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has slammed the Police for releasing video footage on the interrogation of a suspect arrested in connection to the recent shooting in Athurugiriya in which businessman ‘Club Wasantha’ was killed. 

Addressing the Parliament today, the Justice Minister said in the video the Police were seen questioning a suspect in public and with access to media. 

Stating that it is a violation of the law, he said under such circumstances, the services of the Police officers involved in such interrogation must be suspended. 

Minister Rajapakshe revealed that the releasing of such vital information to the media amidst ongoing investigations into a case is considered contempt of court.

“Under the current circumstances, I do not believe that the judiciary can grant justice. The Police have already done their hearing on the case for the whole country to see and now they will only have to issue the verdict on the case. The judges have nothing more to do in this case,” he said, slamming the actions of the Police. 

The Justice Minister questioned how crime investigations can be conducted with the involvement of such Police officers and if such interrogations were legal. 

Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe pointed out that the actions of such Police officials affect the trust of the people in the Judicial system. 

The Justice Minister’s comments come after the Police released video footage to the media on the interrogation of the owner of the tattoo studio in Athurugiriya in which the shooting had occurred.

During the public interrogation, the suspect is seen naming a local drug peddler living in Dubai as the mastermind of the attack on businessman ‘Club Wasantha’. (Newswire)

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Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa has questioned the government on the measures it intends to implement to address the spread of violence in Sri Lanka.

Addressing the Parliament today, MP Premadasa brought up the recent shooting in Athurugiriya in which businessman ‘Club Wasantha’ was killed.

The Opposition Leader pointed out that serious issues have arisen regarding the law and order in the country as violence has spread everywhere in society.

Stating that the public is in great fear in this regard, MP Premadasa stressed that it was the responsibility of the government to ensure the safety of the public.

He further questioned what is the government’s solution to ensuring the safety of citizens and what measures will be taken to suppress violence.

MP Premadasa further said that the Opposition will support the government’s efforts for the elimination of violence and securing law and order in the country. (Newswire)

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Video footage has emerged of the testimony of the owner of the tattoo studio in Athurugiriya in which the recent shooting incident occurred, killing two persons including businessman ‘Club Wasantha’.

As per the footage released by the Police, the tattoo studio owner is seen revealing details on how he set up his studio and invited guests for the opening, which included businessman ‘Club Wasantha’ and a female singer.

In his testimony, the tattoo studio owner revealed that an individual known as ‘Loku Patti’ from Dubai involved in drug peddling had provided money to set up his tattoo studio.

The man further reveals that ‘Loku Patti’ had informed him to invite ‘Club Wasantha’ for the opening ceremony but to refrain from disclosing his investment in the tattoo studio. 

Businessman ‘Club Wasantha’ and another individual were killed and four others injured after two gunmen opened fire inside the tattoo studio in Athurugiriya on Monday. 

Police investigations have thus far found that organized criminals living overseas had orchestrated the shooting using individuals in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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Police investigations have found that the recent shooting in Athurugiriya in which two people, including businessman Surendra Wasantha Perera alias ‘Club Wasantha’, were killed had been orchestrated by organized criminals overseas and carried out by individuals in Sri Lanka. 

The Police state seven suspects, including the owner of the tattoo studio in which the shooting occurred, have been arrested in connection to the shooting.

The suspects are two who had brought the car used for the shooting from Ambalangoda to Athurugiriya, one suspect who had kept the car in an area near his house before the shooting, and one suspect who had kept a van that was used to help the shooters escape. 

They have been identified as residents of Ahungalla, Balapitiya, Ganemulla, Ambalangoa, and Beliatta aged 24, 27, 28, 31, and 37 years old.

The Western Province South Crimes Division apprehended the suspects yesterday on charges of having aided the shooting.

The investigating officers have also seized the car and van used with fake number plates to carry out the shooting, and the mobile phone of the owner of the tattoo studio.

Two people were killed and four others, including a female singer, were injured in the shooting that was carried out at a tattoo studio in Athurugiriya on Monday. (Newswire)

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Seven persons, including the owner of the tattoo studio in Athurugiriya, have been taken into Police custody over the shooting incident reported in the area yesterday, in which two persons were killed.

Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa told Newswire that the suspects have been taken into custody for interrogations and that statements are being recorded from them.

He further said that several Police teams are continuing their investigations into the shooting incident. 

When inquired on reports of money being deposited into the account of the owner of the tattoo studio in Athurugiriya, DIG Thalduwa said the money had been deposited from overseas.

He further said that investigations have revealed that the money had been provided to assist the owner of the tattoo studio in purchasing necessary equipment. 

The Police Spokesman added that the gunmen involved in the shooting are yet to be identified and arrested. 

Businessman Surendra Wasantha Perera alias ‘Club Wasantha’ and another person were killed when two gunmen opened fire inside the tattoo studio in Athurugiriya.

Four others, including a female singer and Club Wasantha’s wife, were injured in the shooting.

Police investigations revealed that the gunmen had arrived in a car and opened fire at the victims using two T56 firearms and had thereafter, fled the area using the car.

The vehicle was found abandoned in Kaduwela, while a van used to transport the suspects was found in Bulathsinhala, Kalutara by the Police. (Newswire) 

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Preliminary Police investigations reveal that gunmen had arrived in a car and used two T56 firearms to carry out the shooting reported in Athurugiriya this morning. 

Two men, including businessman Surendra Wasantha Perera Alias ‘Club Wasantha’, were killed in the attack at a tattoo parlour. According to the Police, the deceased are residents of Athurugiriya and Colombo 07.

Meanwhile, a woman and a man who were injured in the shooting are receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital, while two other injured women are undergoing treatment at the Homagama Hospital. 

Media reports state the vehicle used to carry out the shooting has been found abandoned in the Koratota area in Kaduwela. 

The Athurugiriya Police is conducting further investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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