The Sri Lanka Police have launched a special investigation into the Police officers involved in the arrest of the suspect wanted over the murder of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, Lasantha Wickramasekara, it was reported. 

According to the Police Spokesman, ASP F.U. Wootler, the probe has been launched, focused on the recording and publishing of video footage on social media of the arrest.

He further said that the IGP has focused special attention on the matter and has instructed the probe to be conducted under a special investigation unit.

The Police Spokesman noted that presenting a suspect in a case being deliberated before the court could result in affecting court proceedings and the aggrieved party. 

The gunman wanted for the murder of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman was arrested in the Navinna area in Maharagama on October 26. (Newswire)

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Former BAR Association President and President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris has criticized the recent actions of the Police for publicly questioning the suspect arrested in the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara’s murder case.

His remarks come after a video showing Police officers interrogating the suspect soon after his arrest went viral on social media.

Peiris said arrests and criminal investigations must be conducted strictly in accordance with the procedure established by law. He warned that parading suspects before the media, getting them to make statements, and circulating such footage may excite some sections of the public but would ultimately harm the prosecution once the trial begins.

“These childish acts do not enhance the image of the Police and are counterproductive. It calls into question the professionalism of the investigators and brings disrepute to the whole system,” he added.

Peiris emphasized that adherence to due process and maintaining the integrity of investigations are vital to ensuring justice and preserving public confidence in law enforcement. (Newswire)

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Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala says information has been received on the suspects involved in the murder of the Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, Lasantha Wickramasekara, who was shot dead yesterday.

Minister Wijepala said that soon after the shooting incident, directives were issued to the IGP and the CID to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

Minister Wijepala further said that 04 Police teams were deployed to investigate, after which information has now been received on the suspects.

He said that all suspects involved in the murder will be arrested within the next 02 to 03 days.

The Minister of Public Security made the revelation while addressing the Parliament of Sri Lanka today. (Newswire)

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Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala informed Parliament today that the Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, Lasantha Wickramasekara, who was shot dead today, was involved with the underworld. 

Wijepala assured that there is no threat to national security, despite shooting incidents in the recent past, including the murder of Wickramasekara.

There is an evident clash between organized crime groups in the country who are also in possession of weapons, the Public Security Minister said, adding that today’s shooting was also one such incident. 

He further said that despite Lasantha Wickramasekara being elected as a public representative, he was an underworld figure with six court cases against him. 

“02 cases have been filed at the Matara High Court, 02 cases at the Kurunegala High Court, and 02 at the Galle High Court. He is someone under a suspended prison sentence. He is linked to underworld activities,” the minister said. 

Minister Wijepala further revealed that investigations into the underworld figures recently arrested in Indonesia have found that Lasantha Wickramasekara was in possession of several weapons. 

Minister Ananda Wijepala emphasized that even though he is a politician and public representative elected via the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), he is an underworld figure. 

The Minister, however, said that the government does not approve of the death of a criminal, as the government is one that recgonizes the value of human life. 

The Minister of Public Security said that a comprehensive investigation is underway into the shooting incident. 

Watch: https://www.facebook.com/reel/791678930451087 (Newswire)

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CCTV footage of the suspect involved in the shooting incident that targeted the Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, Lasantha Wickramasekara, in Weligama today, has been released to the media. 

SJB member Lasantha Wickramasekara was shot by the suspect while inside the local council’s chamber this morning. 

The CCTV footage shows the suspect, wearing a face mask and carrying a helmet, entering the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha.

It also shows the suspect fleeing on a motorcycle ridden by another suspect, soon after the shooting. 

Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara, who sustained serious injuries in the shooting, succumbed to injuries after being admitted to the Matara Hospital. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police says a pistol-type firearm is suspected to have been used in the shooting that targeted the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman today. 

According to the Police, the gunman, who had entered the local council, had shot the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman while inside the chamber.

The Police further said that the suspects had fled the area soon after the shooting incident this morning.

The victim, a 38-year-old resident of Midigama, had succumbed to injuries after being admitted to the Matara Hospital. 

The Weligama Police have launched investigations to apprehend the suspects wanted over the shooting. (Newswire)

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A tense situation arose in Parliament when the death of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) member and Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, Lasantha Wickramasekara, was raised in Parliament today.

Addressing the house, Opposition MP Sajith Premadasa informed the Parliament that the Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha had been shot while engaging in the local council’s public day event.

“He was shot while carrying out his official duties while inside the local council. He is seriously injured. This is a serious issue. If a public representative cannot carry out his duties towards the public, what has happened to national security?” the SJB Leader further questioned. 

In response, Speaker of the House Jagath Wickramaratne said that the Police and relevant authorities will investigate the matter. 

Also responding to the Opposition Leader, Government Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the Police have already launched investigations into the incident. 

Minister Jayatissa further said that following preliminary investigations, the Public Security Minister will brief the Parliament on the incident and the suspects involved. (Newswire)

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) member and Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, Lasantha Wickramasekara, who was injured in a shooting incident in Weligama today, has succumbed to injuries. 

According to the Police, two unidentified individuals who arrived on a motorcycle had opened fire at Wickramasekara while he was inside the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chamber.

Soon after, Lasantha Wickramasekara was rushed to the Matara Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries. 

Investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the suspects involved in the incident. (Newswire)

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) member and Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, Lasantha Wickramasekara, has been injured in a shooting incident in Weligama.

According to police reports, two unidentified individuals who arrived on a motorcycle had opened fire at Wickramasekara earlier today.

It is reported that he was shot while inside the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chamber.

Soon after, Lasantha Wickramasekara was rushed to the hospital and is currently receiving treatment for his injuries.

Investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the suspects involved in the incident. (Newswire)

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The haul of drugs, suspected to be narcotics and seized from Weligama recently, has been confirmed to be the narcotic ‘Mephedrone’.

DIG of the Southern Province, Kithsiri Jayalath, said the drug was confirmed by the Government Analyst.

He further said that this is the first instance of this drug being found in Sri Lanka. 

DIG Kithsiri Jayalath also noted that the Government Analyst’s report reveals that Mephedrone is more dangerous than other narcotic drugs such as ‘ICE’.

The drug was found after the Police raided a location in the Weligama area suspected to have been used for the production of ‘ICE’ narcotics.

An 18-year-old Maltese national was arrested during the raid conducted last week (21).

Officers also seized materials believed to have been used in the manufacture of ‘ICE’. (Newswire)

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A suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting incident targeting the residence of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha councillor Tharaka Nanayakkara, representing the National People’s Power (NPP), in July.

According to the Police, the 33-year-old resident of Kelaniya was arrested in the Matara area yesterday.

The Matara Division Police had also seized a car from the suspect’s possession. 

Two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle carried out the shooting attack before fleeing on 16th July.

The incident occurred against the backdrop of heightened political tensions surrounding the election of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha chairman. 

The vote was postponed last month following the alleged abduction of two NPP councillors on the inaugural session of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha. (Newswire)

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has alleged that National People’s Power (NPP) members deliberately disrupted proceedings to delay a scheduled vote at the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha earlier today.

According to reports, the disturbance began after two NPP members, en route to the council, were allegedly abducted. 

SJB Weligama Organiser Rehan Jayawickreme said that NPP members had informed the council of the alleged abduction and the absence of their two members.

Despite the missing members, the Commissioner had decided to proceed with the vote. During the proceedings, a group of around 250 NPP supporters reportedly forced entry into the Pradeshiya Sabha, damaging property and interrupting the session, Jayawickreme said. 

“They broke the doors and held everyone inside, effectively halting the vote,” Jayawickreme said, claiming this was an unprecedented incident in the history of the council.

He further alleged that NPP supporters attempted to provoke confrontations with opposing party members and observed that the Police failed to intervene and deescalate the situation. 

The dispute is reportedly linked to an SJB member who was elected, amid objections from the NPP. 

The Commissioner had observed that the matter should be resolved with Police intervention, as it did not pertain directly to the vote. (Newswire)

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A tense situation has been reported at the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha after it was reported that two National People’s Power (NPP) members who were on their way to the council today (27 June) had been abducted.

It is reported that the two NPP members had, reportedly, been abducted while on their way to the election to appoint the Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha. 

As a result, a situation has arisen preventing the council from holding its session.

According to reports, it has been proposed to resume the proceedings of the House only upon the return of the two abducted NPP members. (Newswire)

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Local authorities, including the Police, have taken measures to remove unauthorised constructions in the coastal area of Weligama. 

It is reported that several temporary structures put up by many surfing institutions were among those unauthorised constructions removed or demolished. 

Speaking to the media, a member of the surfing instructors community said that these temporary structures were made to develop and help surfing instructors conduct their business.

“We have been involved in this field for the last 15 years or more. We were able to conduct our activities under every past regime. Weligama is famous and known for surfing. Foreigners visit Weligama purely for surfing,” he said. 

Emphasizing the impact on the surfing community, he further requested that the authorities provide a solution to continue conducting their business in the future. (Newswire) 

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Former Director of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), ASP Neville Silva, has been granted bail after surrendering to the Matara Magistrate’s Court regarding the shooting in front of a prominent hotel in Weligama in 2023.

ASP Neville Silva, who surrendered to the court today, was released on a surety of Rs. 200,000, while he has been named the 09th suspect in the case. 

The former CCD Director was wanted in connection with the incident, regarding which suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon was previously arrested and granted bail.

Deshabandu Tennakoon is accused of orchestrating the shooting involving officers from the CCD, Weligama Police, and the Special Task Force, which resulted in the death of a CCD officer and injuries to another. (Newswire)

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Former Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles has left the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) after recording a statement in connection with a shooting incident in 2023.

According to reports, Tiran Alles left the CID after recording a statement for more than 5 ½ hours. 

The former minister reported to the CID this morning to record a statement regarding the shooting incident in front of a prominent hotel in Weligama in 2023. 

Suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon is already under remand custody over the incident. 

Tennakoon is accused of orchestrating the shooting involving officers from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), Weligama Police, and the Special Task Force, which resulted in the death of a CCD officer and injuries to another.

He surrendered to the Matara Magistrate’s Court after having evaded the Police from 27 February to 19 March, and was remanded until 03 April. (Newswire)

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Former Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles has arrived at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to record a statement. 

According to reports, the former minister arrived at the CID to record a statement regarding the shooting incident in front of a prominent hotel in Weligama in 2023. 

Suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon is already under remand custody over the incident. 

Tennakoon is accused of orchestrating the shooting involving officers from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), Weligama Police, and the Special Task Force, which resulted in the death of a CCD officer and injuries to another.

He surrendered to the Matara Magistrate’s Court after having evaded the Police from 27 February to 19 March, and was remanded until 03 April. (Newswire)

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A shooting has been reported near the Batawala Pathegama Model Primary School in Weligama, Matara today (May 27).

According to the Police, two persons on a motorcycle had targeted an individual who was waiting near the primary school.

The Police said, however, no injuries or casualties were reported in the shooting that occurred early this morning. (Newswire)

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A section of a hostel of a female school in the Weligama area in Matara has been completely destroyed due to a fire. 

According to the Police, a fire had broken out at the Hafsa Ladies Arabic College in Weligama, Matara last evening.

Around 150 students at the hostel had been safely evacuated with the assistance of area residents and the school authorities. 

The third and fourth floors of the hostel, which consisted of the students’ bedding, have been completely destroyed in the fire. 

No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident, while the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. (NewsWire)

Ladies school hostel destroyed in Weligama fire https://t.co/A3NznW0KYk pic.twitter.com/GtZRVVkZEP

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) March 4, 2024

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An agreement has been signed between South Beach Weligama Properties and the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) for a luxury apartment complex project for an investment of US$ 4.15 million.

Announcing the project on ‘X’, the BOI said the agreement was signed for 106 apartment complexes located on the beachfront.

The BOI further said the luxury apartment project targets local and foreign property seekers, from the US, the UK, Australia, and Indian markets. (NewsWire)

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