Investigations have revealed that the suspect arrested following a shooting incident involving the Police in Katunayake had previously served in the Katunayake City Security Unit of the Civil Security Force between 2008 and 2010.

According to the Police, the 41‑year‑old resident of Divulapitiya was taken into custody by the Negombo Division Crime Investigation Unit in the Divulapitiya area, where he was found with 31 grams of ICE narcotics. 

Police also recovered the firearm snatched from a Police officer and the motorcycle the suspect had robbed during his escape, following a confrontation with a group of Police Officers yesterday (15). 

The incident began when traffic officers signaled a motorcycle to stop for inspection in Katunayake last afternoon. The rider ignored the signal, prompting a chase. At Dewamottawa, the rider and pillion abandoned the motorcycle and fled. 

One suspect was arrested, but during custody he assaulted a Police officer, snatched his firearm, and opened fire on another officer arriving from a nearby roadblock, injuring him. The suspect then threatened with the weapon, seized a passing motorcycle, and escaped.

Special police teams were deployed, leading to his eventual arrest. The officer injured by gunfire was admitted to Negombo Hospital, while the officer assaulted during the struggle was admitted to Minuwangoda Hospital.

Police state that investigations are continuing to apprehend the second suspect involved in the incident. (Newswire)

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A Police officer was injured in a shooting incident near a roadblock in the Dewamottawa area of Katunayake this afternoon, Police said.

According to Police, the shooting occurred during a raid conducted in the area today (15).

The suspect reportedly shot the officer with his firearm before fleeing the scene. 

The injured officer was rushed to hospital following the incident.

The Katunayake Police have launched an urgent investigation and operations to apprehend the suspect. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet has approved a proposal to rehabilitate and upgrade the road lighting system along the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway, including the Kerawalapitiya Interchange, following extensive damage caused by theft and vandalism.

According to the Ministry of Transport and Highways, nearly 85% of the lighting system is currently inactive, raising safety concerns for motorists.

As such, under the first stage of the project, lighting will be reinstated at the Peliyagoda, Kerawalapitiya, Seeduwa and Ja‑Ela interchanges.

Thereafter, the stretch from the new Kelani Bridge to the Peliyagoda Fish Market and from Seeduwa to Bandaranaike International Airport will also be illuminated.

The government states that rehabilitation and improvement works will be carried out under two packages, with an estimated cost of Rs. 1,098.50 million.

Contractors will be selected through the National Competitive Procurement Procedure.

The proposal, presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet. (Newswire)

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Police have arrested two individuals in separate raids for illegally storing diesel without the required permits, seizing over 465 litres in total. 

Both suspects were taken into custody on Thursday (19) following tip‑offs received by local Police Divisions.

Officers from the Katunayake Police Station raided a location in the Hinnatiyana area last night and arrested a 40‑year‑old resident of Minuwangoda. 

The suspect was found in possession of 410 litres of diesel without a legal permit. 

He was handed over to the Katunayake Police Station, which is conducting further investigations.

Meanwhile, the Police in the Mudaliyawela area of the Chilaw Division arrested a 73‑year‑old resident of Ilappadeniya. 

Acting on information received, officers seized 55 litres of diesel stored without authorization. 

The suspect was taken into custody and presented to the Chilaw Police Station. Investigations are continuing. (Newswire)

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Police say the failed shooting attempt on a businessman in Katunayake yesterday is suspected to have been orchestrated by underworld figure ‘Heenatiyana Neel’.

Investigations have found that the businessman had been involved in an argument with the underworld figure in the past. 

The Police further said that the gunman who had escaped is suspected of being wanted over several murders in the country.

Four Police teams have been deployed to conduct investigations into the incident. 

The businessman, who was the target of the shooting, has been identified as a man who loans money in exchange for vehicle registration books.

Speaking to the media, he said the gunmen had arrived on a motorcycle and were welcomed into his house after they had informed him they were in need of money. 

“Once they were inside, I closed the main gate and was talking on the phone. When I requested the vehicle registration book, they looked at each other in a suspicious manner. At that time, one gunman tried to attack me, but I managed to fend him off, and during which the other gunman also pulled out a gun. But as I fought off both of them, they ran away and tried to escape. Since the gate was locked, they had to scale the wall and escape, during which one suspect had fallen and broken his leg. Area residents caught him and handed him over to the Police, while the other suspect managed to escape,” he said. 

The Police have arrested one gunman involved in the failed shooting, while they had also seized the weapon and motorcycle used in the incident. Investigations are underway to apprehend the escaped suspect. (Newswire)

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A 33-year-old resident of Ampara has been identified as one of the gunmen in the failed shooting attempt that targeted a businessman in Katunayake today.

According to the Police, two suspects on a motorcycle had attempted to open fire at a businessman at his residence in the Dhewawettawa area in Adiambalama.

As the weapon had failed to discharge, the suspects had climbed over the wall of the house and attempted to escape. 

However, one suspect who had sustained injuries during the escape had been caught by area residents and was handed over to the Police, after which he was admitted to the Negombo Hospital. 

The Police have seized the weapon and the motorcycle used in the failed shooting attempt. 

The Katunayake Police have launched investigations to apprehend the other suspect who had escaped. (Newswire)

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One gunman has been arrested following a failed shooting attempt in the Adiambalama area in Katunayake today. 

The Police said two suspects on a motorcycle had targeted a businessman in the area.

However, as the weapon had failed to fire, the suspects were unable to carry out the shooting.

One gunman was arrested along with the weapon in connection with the shooting attempt, while the other is said to have managed to escape.

The Police have launched a search operation to apprehend the other gunman. (Newswire)

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Over 5 kilos of Methamphetamine (Ice) has been recovered from a warehouse in Katunayake yesterday.

According to the Police, the stock of narcotics was found during a raid conducted by the Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel attached to the Gonahena Camp.

The stocks of Methamphetamine were found concealed in 63 parcels containing computer accessories.

The Police said the narcotics had been sent to Sri Lanka by an individual identified as ‘Dubai Nipuna’ who is currently residing in Dubai.

The Police Narcotics Bureau has launched investigations to apprehend all persons involved in the drug racket. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police have sought the support of the public to find a 26-year-old woman and her 04-year-old daughter who have been reported missing since May 29, 2024.

The Police said a probe had been launched after the woman’s husband had filed a complaint at the Katunayake Police Station in this regard. 

The public with information on the missing mother and child has been requested to contact the Police via 071-8591639 or 011-2252222. (Newswire)

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An individual has been killed after being shot by the Police during a raid.

The Police stated that the man was shot at when he attempted to hurl a grenade at a group of Police officers during the raid.

They further stated that the incident had taken place in the Madawala area in Katunayake. 

Further details are not known at the time of publication. (NewsWire)

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