The house of underworld figure Thambili Lahiru has been set on fire in the Middeniya area, the Police said.

The incident was reported to the Middeniya Police today, who have launched investigations into the arson attack.

The Police confirmed that the blaze targeted Thambili Lahiru’s residence while he remains in custody at the Boossa High Security Prison.

The Middeniya Police is conducting investigations to determine those responsible for the incident.

Thambili Lahiru was arrested in Indonesia and brought back to Sri Lanka last year. (Newswire)

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Two gold coloured magazines are among the weapons found in Middeniya, suspected to belong to former local government member Sampath Manamperi.

The haul of weapons, including a 09mm pistol, two T-56 magazines, 115 rounds of ammunition, and a hand grenade, was found buried in a plot of land in Middeniya.

The former local government member is currently in remand custody in connection with the stock of chemicals used in the production of ICE narcotics that were found in Middeniya recently.

Last week (17), Sampath Manamperi surrendered to the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court, after which he was remanded. (Newswire)

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A stock of weapons suspected to belong to former local government member Sampath Manamperi, who is currently in remand custody in connection with the possession of chemicals used in the production of ICE narcotics, has been recovered in Middeniya. 

Speaking to Newswire, Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said that the haul of weapons had been found buried in a plot of land in Middeniya.

He further said the recovered weapons include a 09mm pistol, two T-56 magazines, 115 rounds of ammunition, and a hand grenade. 

Last week (17), Sampath Manamperi surrendered to the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court after being wanted in connection with the chemicals used in the production of ICE narcotics that were found in Middeniya. (Newswire)

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Former local government member Sampath Manamperi surrendered to the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court today.

He was wanted in connection with the possession of chemicals used in the production of Crystal Meth (ICE), following a discovery made in Middeniya recently.

Earlier, the Court of Appeal instructed the IGP to ensure Manamperi’s security upon his surrender and directed that investigating officers be informed of the development.

The chemicals used in the production of Crystal Meth (ICE) found in Middeniya are linked to the underworld figures who were arrested in Indonesia recently. (Newswire)

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A complaint has been submitted to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka by the sister of former Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Pradeshiya Sabha member Piyal Senadheera regarding his recent arrest.

Senadheera was taken into custody last Thursday (06) in connection with the stock of approximately 50,000 kilograms of chemical substances that was found on a plot of land in the Thalawa and Kariyamaditta areas in Middeniya.

Speaking to the media after submitting the complaint, Senadheera’s sister claimed that the police and Special Task Force (STF) acted arbitrarily during the arrest and that the incident amounted to political vengeance.

She further alleged that during the arrest, officers verbally abused family members with obscene language, causing severe distress.

She stated that the incident had inflicted serious psychological harm on her children, who are now emotionally withdrawn and refusing to attend school.

According to her, Senadheera was taken from the Embilipitiya Police without any explanation and is currently being held at the Middeniya Police Station.

She added that both her brothers are affiliated with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), and believes their arrest is politically motivated. (Newswire)

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A stock of chemical substances believed to be used in the production of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ICE, allegedly linked to underworld figure Kehelbaddara Padme, was discovered in the Middeniya area.

According to reports, the chemical substances were found following a raid that was carried out based on information revealed by underworld figure Backhoe Saman.

The operation was conducted by the Special Task Force, and the stock of chemicals used in the production of ICE was found in the Middeniya area today.

The Criminal Investigation Department inspected a house in the Thalawa area in Middeniya, following a tip-off that narcotics were being concealed there.

Police state that the owner of the house, who had maintained connections with Backhoe Saman, has fled the residence and is currently in hiding.

It has also come to light that a local council member was allegedly involved in storing the stock of chemical substances. 

Kehelbaddara Padme and Backhoe Saman are among the wanted suspects who were arrested in Indonesia recently and brought back to Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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The bodies of two youths, shot dead, have been found in the Thorayaya area in Middeniya.

According to the Police, the deceased youths are aged 26 and 40 years, and it is suspected that they may have been shot dead this morning. 

The Police said 5 bullets from a pistol and two motorcycles belonging to the victims were found close to the scene of the crime. 

The cause of the murder is yet to be ascertained, they said.

Three Police teams, together with the Middeniya Police, are investigating the incident. (Newswire)

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The motorcyclist wanted in connection with the triple murder in Middeniya, in which two children were murdered in February, has been arrested in India. 

According to the Police, the suspect was arrested in Chennai and deported to Sri Lanka today.

Upon arriving in Sri Lanka, he was taken into the custody of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

The suspect is a 31-year-old resident of Debokkawa. 

Two individuals on a motorcycle opened fire at a man travelling on a motorcycle with his son and daughter, aged 09 and 06 years, respectively. 

The 39-year-old father had died on the spot, while his two children succumbed to injuries at the hospital in the following two days of the shooting. 

Over 10 suspects, including the gunman, have been arrested so far in connection with the triple murder. (Newswire)

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A total of 12 suspects have been arrested so far in connection to the triple murder in Middeniya, in which two young children were killed in February.

According to the Police, a 37-year-old man was arrested in the Kuttigala area yesterday.

The suspect was arrested by the Middeniya Police on charges of aiding the shooting.

The Middeniya Police and Tangalle Division Crimes Investigation Unit are conducting further investigations. (Newswire)

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The Middeniya Police have arrested the gunman involved in the fatal shooting that claimed three lives, including two children, in Middeniya in February.

The attack occurred when two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle opened fire on a man travelling with his young son and daughter on another motorcycle. 

The father was killed instantly, while his daughter succumbed to injuries at the hospital. His son, who was in critical condition, passed away the following day.

Following an extensive investigation, police apprehended the suspected gunman involved in the brutal crime. (Newswire)

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A Police Constable attached to the Weeraketiya Police Station has been arrested on charges of aiding the shooting in Middeniya last month, in which two young children were killed.

The Police said the suspect, a 36-year-old resident of Julampitiya, had provided the 12 bullets of a T-56 firearm to the suspects to carry out the shooting.

A total of 07 suspects have been arrested in connection to the Middeniya shooting.

The Middeniya Police is conducting further investigations. 

Two gunmen on a motorcycle had opened fire at an individual travelling on a motorcycle with his young son and daughter.

Following the shooting, the man died on the spot, while his daughter died at the hospital soon after, and his son succumbed to injuries the following day in hospital. (Newswire)

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Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of 39-year-old Aruna Vidanagamage in Middeniya, Police said.

Detention orders have been obtained for several suspects, while the suspects include an army deserter and a former police officer.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the killing was ordered by an organized criminal operating from overseas, Police said.

Although several videos circulating online claim that Vidanagamage had received death threats, Police said he had not filed any such official complaint.

Vidanagamage was shot and killed on February 18 when unidentified gunmen opened fire while he was traveling on a motorcycle with his two children in Middeniya.

He died at the scene, while his 9-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter sustained critical injuries.

The daughter succumbed to her injuries shortly after being admitted at Tangalle Hospital. The son, who was being treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the National Hospital in Galle, later died, bringing the death toll to three. (Newswire)

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Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala briefed the Parliament today on the progress of investigations into the recent shootings in Middeniya and Colombo.

Addressing the Parliament, Minister Wijepala said the shootings were a result of disputes between various underworld gangs. 

He further assured that national security has not been affected due to the recent shootings. 

Ganemulla Sanjeewa shooting;

Minister Ananda Wijepala said that the main shooter was arrested within 08 hours of the shooting.

Stating that the Police are conducting investigations into the shooting, he further commended the Police for their swift action in apprehending the suspect. 

The minister said that a Police Constable has also been arrested for assisting the suspects involved in the shooting.

Revealing details on the shooter, the minister said that he had escaped using a three-wheeler taxi service and had gotten off in Pettah, where he had discarded a bag with clothing.

He further said that the female suspect had arrived in another vehicle at the court premises and that investigations were underway to apprehend her. 

Investigations into the van used by the shooter to flee to Puttalam have been inspected by the Police, with a probe underway into the ownership. 

The Motor Traffic Department inspected the chassis and engine of the vehicle, during which it was found to have used a fake number plate, he said.

Further investigations have found that the shooter and female suspect had stayed at a lodge in Kaduwela before the shooting, with the place being inspected by the Police and CCTV footage showing a white colour car dropping off a parcel.

A person had arrived in a white colour car and had handed over a parcel to the suspects, which is suspected to have contained the firearm and lawyer attires used to carry out the crime, the minister revealed. 

Minister Ananda Wijepala further said that statements have been recorded from various persons, including Police and military officers on duty at the courts at the time of the incident. 

The minister also clarified that this was not the first shooting inside a courthouse as claimed by the opposition.

He assured that the government was taking the matter seriously and was addressing the rise in crime.

Minister Ananda Wijepala emphasized that national security was not at risk, pointing out that such incidents had occurred in the past as well. (Newswire)

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A 09-year-old boy seriously injured in the shooting reported in the Middeniya area yesterday has succumbed to injuries.

The boy was pronounced dead today after receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Embilipitiya Hospital.

Unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle had opened fire at a man travelling with two children on a motorcycle near the Kadewatte Junction in Middeniya last night.

The victim had died on the spot, while his daughter and son had sustained serious injuries in the shooting.

The 06-year-old daughter had succumbed to injuries after receiving treatment at the Tangalle Hospital, while the son had been admitted to the Embilipitiya Hospital. 

The Police suspect that a T-56 firearm had been used in the shooting, while investigations are underway to apprehend the suspects. (Newswire)

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A couple have been injured following a shooting reported near the 6th-mile post on the Galpoththayaya- Julampitiya Road in Middeniya last night.

The Police said the couple had been shot at while travelling on a motorcycle, during which the man had sustained injuries and the woman had been injured due to the motorcycle toppling over. 

The injured individuals are a 42-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman, who are residents of the Julampitiya area. The couple was initially admitted to the Middeniya Hospital and transferred to the Embilipitiya Hospital for further treatment.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the couple had been shot at while returning home after closing their store for the day. 

The suspects involved in the shooting have not been identified, while the locally manufactured weapon used for the shooting was found at the scene of the crime. The Middeniya Police is conducting investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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A 03-year-old child has died after falling into a water tank in the Middeniya area on Sunday.

The Police said the deceased is a 03-year-old boy and a resident of the area.

Investigations have revealed the child had fallen into a water tank that had been constructed in front of the house to breed fish.

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

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A 49-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assets acquired illegally using money from drug-related operations in Sri Lanka, the Police said. 

The suspect, a resident of Middeniya, was arrested on Wednesday by officials of the Police Illegal Assets and Property Investigation Unit. 

The Police said investigations have revealed that the suspect had acquired the illegal assets via money received through drug operations carried out between 2017 and to date.

During the arrest, the suspect was found to have illegally acquired a two-storied house on 18 perch land in Middeniya, another land of 03 roods, and two vehicles. The Police said the illegally acquired assets are valued at over Rs. 50 million. 

The Police Illegal Assets and Property Investigation Unit is investigating the matter. (NewsWire)

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