The Western Province South Crime Investigation Division has arrested a 48‑year‑old woman in connection with the attempted murder reported on July 21 in the Mount Lavinia Pansala Road area, where two unidentified men threatened residents with a firearm and tried to carry out a killing.

According to the Police, the firearm used in the crime had been supplied by an organized criminal currently hiding abroad and exchanged through the arrested suspect, a resident of Ratmalana.

At the time of arrest, police found 10.270 grams of ICE narcotics in her possession, along with Rs. 35,060 suspected to be payment for her role in the crime.

Further questioning led to the recovery of the motorcycle used in the attack, the clothes worn by the suspects on the day, and a mobile phone. 

Police noted that the motorcycle rider involved in the incident had already been arrested on July 26 and remains in remand custody while questioning continues.

The Police stated that the female suspect will be produced before the Magistrate’s Court to obtain a detention order, under which investigations will proceed. (Newswire)

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An attempt to shoot a man at Temple’s Road in Mount Lavinia on Tuesday night was unsuccessful after the gunman’s firearm reportedly malfunctioned.

According to police, the suspect arrived at the scene on a motorcycle with an accomplice before entering the house and attempting to open fire after confirming the identity of the intended target.

When the firearm failed to discharge, the suspect allegedly assaulted the victim before fleeing the scene with the accomplice.

Police said the victim’s son had previously been arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting a murder.

Investigators suspect the attempted shooting may have been carried out as part of an underworld rivalry involving criminal gangs associated with individuals known as “Kos Malli” and “Badovita Asanka.”

Police are analysing CCTV footage and conducting further investigations to identify and arrest the suspects. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police has issued a clarification regarding false news circulating on social media and several websites, which alleged that a special investigation was underway against SI Prasanna of Mount Lavinia for giving electric shocks to a suspect in custody. 

Issuing a statement, The Police stated that no such investigation has been initiated and described the reports as fabricated.

The Police said, per a report from the Mount Lavinia Police, on Sunday (07), a team of officers including a Sub‑Inspector attached to the Badowita Police post arrested a resident of Badowita for possession of 10.150 grams of heroin.

The suspect was later referred to the Judicial Medical Officer at Kalubowila Teaching Hospital, where he claimed to have been assaulted by arresting officers. Following examination, the JMO admitted him for residential treatment under police protection.

On Monday (08), the Mount Lavinia Magistrate visited the hospital and conducted an inspection. During this process, the suspect stated to the Magistrate that he had not been assaulted by police officers. The Magistrate subsequently ordered that the suspect be detained for seven days to facilitate further investigations.

The Police pointed out that unverified information relating to this incident has been misrepresented online, resulting in the spread of false news. (Newswire)

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A vehicle was damaged after a tree fell onto it moments after it was parked under the tree.

According to reports, the incident occurred in Mount Lavinia.

The moment was caught on camera by another vehicle that had given way for the double cab to park. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police have arrested a 19-year-old three‑wheeler driver who fled after knocking down a motorcycle in Mount Lavinia.

According to the Police, the suspect was taken into custody on Tuesday (21) with the assistance of video footage circulated on social media and CCTV recordings.

The accident occurred on April 14, when the three‑wheeler struck a motorcycle and continued driving without stopping. A video of the incident was widely shared online in the days that followed.

Following statements recorded from the injured motorcyclists, a broader investigation was launched. 

Through analysis of the social media footage and CCTV cameras installed along the road, police identified the suspect and the vehicle involved.

The arrested suspect is a 19‑year‑old resident of Borupana, Ratmalana. He is scheduled to be produced before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court today (22).

Mount Lavinia Police are conducting further investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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Police investigations have uncovered significant evidence following information revealed by a suspect in custody, leading to the seizure of narcotics, weapons, and other illicit items.

According to the Police, a female suspect from Ratmalana, who was already in custody over possession of ICE narcotics, revealed information that led the Police to raid a house in Pirivena Road, within the Mount Lavinia division, yesterday (11 Feb).

During the search, officers seized 10.26 grams of ICE, Rs. 800,000 in cash, a shotgun with live ammunition, eight fake motorcycle license plates, four fake three‑wheeler plates, 18 fake car plates, an electronic scale, two gold chains, a gold bracelet, and a gold ring.

Investigations suggest these items were provided to the suspect by an organized criminal and drug trafficker. 

The Mount Lavinia Police are continuing further inquiries. (Newswire)

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A special team from the Mount Lavinia Divisional Crime Investigation Unit raided two brothels operating under the guise of massage centres in the Ratmalana and Mount Lavinia junction areas on Tuesday night (28).

During the raids, police arrested six suspects — a 46-year-old male manager from Mount Lavinia, a female manager, and four women aged between 30 and 51 from Ampara, Valaichchenai, Medirigiriya, and Ratmalana.

The suspects were handed over to the Mount Lavinia Police Station for further investigation. (Newswire)

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Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake, who appeared before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court concerning the recent alleged altercation incident at the court premises, has been released on bail.

The Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court granted bail to Gunaratne Wanninayake, releasing him on two sureties of Rs. 500,000 each.

Gunaratne Wanninayake arrived at the court today over the incident related to the alleged altercation with a Police Constable at the Mount Lavinia court premises on 10th October.

The Police constable was arrested and remanded last week over allegations that he assaulted Gunaratne Wanninayake following an argument related to removing a vehicle from the court premises. He was granted bail on Monday. (Newswire)

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Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake has appeared before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court concerning the recent alleged altercation incident at the court premises. 

It is reported that Gunaratne Wanninayake has arrived at the court today with the President of the BAR Association of Sri Lanka, Rajeev Amarasuriya. 

Gunaratne Wanninayake was ordered to appear in court over the alleged altercation with a Police Constable at the Mount Lavinia court premises on 10th October.

The Police constable was arrested and remanded last week over allegations that he assaulted Gunaratne Wanninayake following an argument related to removing a vehicle from the court premises. He was granted bail on Monday

Meanwhile, Gunaratne Wanninayake had also filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal, seeking an order to prevent his arrest before being produced in court in connection with the incident.

The writ petition is scheduled to be taken up before the Court of Appeal today (15). (Newswire)

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Attorney-at-law Gunaratne Wanninayake has filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal, seeking an order to prevent his arrest in connection with a recent incident involving a Police Constable at the Mount Lavinia Court premises.

The lawyer filed the writ petition yesterday, seeking to prevent his arrest before being produced in court.

The writ petition is scheduled to be taken up before the Court of Appeal today (15). 

Gunaratne Wanninayake had been involved in an alleged altercation with a Police Constable at the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court premises on October 10

The Police constable was later arrested and remanded over allegations that he assaulted Gunaratne Wanninayake following an argument related to removing a vehicle from the court premises. He was granted bail on Monday. (Newswire)

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The Police constable accused of allegedly assaulting attorney Gunaratne Wanninayake at the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court premises on October 10 was granted bail today, while the case was referred to a settlement board for further proceedings.

Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara ordered the release of Police Constable Tharinda Dilhara on two surety bonds of Rs. 100,000 each. The court also directed that the matter be referred to the Mediation Board for possible reconciliation between the parties.

Police Inspector H. T. M. Tushara told the court that investigations had not found evidence of a physical assault and that CCTV footage from the courthouse had been requested. However, the court was informed that the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court CCTV system is currently non-functional.

The lawyers representing the aggrieved party informed the court that there are videos where it claimed that suspect accepted he had assaulted the lawyer.

The suspect’s lawyers maintained that the video of the incident circulating on social media could not be taken as conclusive proof, arguing that artificial intelligence tools can manipulate such content.

The constable was earlier remanded until October 13 after being arrested on October 10 over allegations that he assaulted an attorney following an argument related to removing a vehicle from the court premises.

A large number of lawyers from the Colombo and Mount Lavinia Bar Associations were present in court today.

Outside the courthouse, a group of people gathered to welcome the police officer as he was released on bail. (Newswire)

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The Police Constable, who was remanded over allegedly assaulting a lawyer within the Mount Lavinia court premises, received a grand welcome after being granted bail over the incident today. 

The Police Constable was released on two sureties of Rs. 200,000 each after being produced before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s court today. 

He was arrested and remanded over allegedly assaulting a lawyer during a dispute over moving a vehicle within the Mount Lavinia court premises on Friday (10).

Upon being released on bail, the Police Constable received a grand welcome, with many surrounding his vehicle, yelling congratulations and later carrying him on their shoulders. (Newswire)

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The police officer who was in remand custody over the incident at the Mount Lavinia Court premises has been granted bail today (13).

The Police Constable has been released on two sureties of Rs. 200,000 each after being produced before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s court today. 

The officer had been arrested following a complaint that he assaulted a lawyer during a dispute over moving a vehicle within the court premises on October 10.

The case, which has drawn wide public attention, has prompted multiple investigations, including a probe by the Police Special Investigation Unit into whether the officers acted appropriately during the incident.

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala earlier said that legal action will also be taken against Senior Lawyer Gunaratne Wanninayake over his conduct during the incident, describing it as contempt of court. (NewsWire)

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Raising concerns over wrongful detention related to drug cases, Secretary of the Mount Lavinia Lawyers’ Association, Keerthi Fernando, said a suspect who had been wrongfully detained was released from the case yesterday, but was no longer alive as he had died by suicide. 

Speaking to the media, Keerthi Fernando said the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court yesterday released suspects in six cases filed by the Dehiwala Police due to no proof of narcotics

He further revealed that the suspect who had died by suicide due to mental stress from the wrongful detention was among those released from the drug-related cases. 

“This individual was arrested in May 2024 and later remanded for the possession of 3200 mg of heroin. This is a non-bailable offence, so he was remanded. After three months, he was granted bail by the High Court. However, after 02 months, he died by suicide due to mental stress. When the case was taken up in court again, the Government Analyst’s report declared he was not in possession of any drugs. As such, the judge released him from the case, but he is no longer alive,” Keerthi Fernando said. 

He pointed out that there are several more incidents like this, where wrongful arrests and detention are ruining the lives of innocent individuals, such as job losses, broken marriages, and a lack of care for young children. 

“These wrongful arrests and detentions are being made by senior Police officials, under the pretext of having experience in judging substances without conducting the necessary investigations. Government funds are also wasted due to such instances, as a report from the Government Analyst’s Department costs Rs. 75,000 and over Rs. 1000 is spent per person per day at prisons,” he said. 

Stating that these wrongful arrests were a violation of an individual’s fundamental rights, Keerthi Fernando requested that the Police Department prevent such instances in the future. (Newswire)

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The body of an unidentified individual was found on the Mount Lavinia Beach last night.

According to the Police, the body has been identified as that of a male, but his identity is yet to be ascertained. 

The deceased was found wearing a blue long-sleeved shirt and black trousers. 

The Mount Lavinia Police is conducting investigations. (Newswire)

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A man and woman have been arrested on charges of having aided the murder of a 19-year-old youth, shot dead by gunmen near Sylvester Road in Mount Lavinia on 05 May. 

According to the Police, the Mount Lavinia Division Crimes Investigations Unit arrested a 33-year-old man in Mount Lavinia yesterday, along with 15 grams of ICE narcotics. 

Further interrogations of the suspect had led to the arrest of a 28-year-old woman in the Dehiwala area today. 

The Police said that 06 suspects, including the gunman, have been arrested so far in connection with the shooting. 

On 05 May, a 19-year-old youth, a resident of Auburn Place in Dehiwala, who was employed on a contract basis as a worker in the solid waste department of the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council, was shot dead.

The victim was cleaning the Sylvester Road area in Mount Lavinia when the suspect, on a motorcycle, opened fire from behind and later chased the youth onto the main road and shot him multiple times, before fleeing the area. 

Police investigations found that the deceased youth was the son of a female drug trafficker, who is currently in prison, and that the woman’s daughter was also involved in drug peddling. (Newswire)

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The gunman arrested in the murder of a 19-year-old youth in Mount Lavinia recently had been previously remanded over another shooting incident in the same area, Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga said. 

Addressing the media today, SSP Manatunga said the suspect had been involved in the shooting targeting the 19-year-old youth, less than 20 days since being released on bail in connection with the previous shooting incident. 

The Police Spokesman revealed that the suspect had been arrested as the main gunman in a shooting reported in the Dehiwala area in September 2024 and had been produced in court on 19 September 2024, after which he was remanded.

However, a bail application filed by him had been accepted by the High Court, after which he was released on bail on 17 April 2025. “Within 20 days of his release from prison, he carried out this shooting targeting the 19-year-old boy in Mount Lavinia,” SSP Manatunga added.

The Police Spokesman said the gunman, a motorcyclist and two other suspects have been arrested so far, along with the firearm and motorcycle used in the murder. 

On 05 May, a 19-year-old youth, a resident of Auburn Place in Dehiwala, who was employed on a contract basis as a worker in the solid waste department of the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council, was shot dead.

The victim was cleaning the Sylvester Road area in Mount Lavinia when the suspect, on a motorcycle, opened fire from behind and later chased the youth onto the main road and shot him multiple times, before fleeing the area. (Newswire) 

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The gunman and the motorcyclist, involved in the recent shooting of a 19-year-old boy in Mount Lavinia, have been arrested by the Mount Lavinia Division Crimes Investigation Unit. 

The Police said a total of four suspects, including two who had aided the murder, have been arrested so far, adding that all suspects locally involved in the incident have been apprehended.

The Police had seized a live hand grenade, 15 bullets belonging to a 09 mm firearm, a motorcycle, and two number plates from the gunman’s possession. 

The gunman, who was arrested on Kottawa Viharaya Mawatha, has been identified as having served in the Air Force as a soldier for one and a half years.

The motorcycle used in the shooting was found dismantled, with parts and two fake number plates buried behind the gunman’s house in the Mabulgoda area of ​​Kottawa.

On 05 May, a 19-year-old youth, a resident of Auburn Place in Dehiwala, who was employed on a contract basis as a worker in the solid waste department of the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council, was shot dead.

The victim was cleaning the Sylvester Road area in Mount Lavinia when the suspect, on a motorcycle, opened fire from behind and later chased the youth onto the main road and shot him multiple times, before fleeing the area. 

Police investigations have found that the deceased youth was the son of a female drug trafficker, who is currently in prison, and that the woman’s daughter was also involved in drug peddling. (Newswire)

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The Crimes Investigation Unit of the Mount Lavinia Division has arrested two suspects in connection with the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old youth at the Sylvester Road–Galle Road junction in Mount Lavinia on May 5.

Police said the suspects, aged 21 and 32, residents of Mount Lavinia and Dehiwala, had allegedly monitored the victim and provided information via social media to those who carried out the shooting.

Investigations have revealed that the suspects supported the assailants by tracking the target and relaying real-time updates. (Newswire)

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The Police suspect that the murder of a 19-year-old boy in Mount Lavinia today may be related to drug activities linked to his mother.

According to the Police, investigations have revealed that there were several cases at various courts against the victim’s mother in connection with drug peddling. 

The Mount Lavinia Police have launched investigations to ascertain whether the murder was linked to drug activities and to identify and arrest the suspects involved. 

Two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire at the teenager near the Beach Road junction in Mount Lavinia this morning and had fled the area.

The boy, who sustained serious injuries in the shooting, succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at the Kalubowila Hospital. (Newswire)

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