Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the alleged murder of a 24-year-old man who went missing from the Wellampitiya area in October last year, police said.
According to the Police Media Division, investigations revealed that the victim had allegedly been murdered at a vehicle repair workshop in Grandpass before his body was burned and the remaining human remains dumped into the Kelani River.
The victim’s disappearance was reported to Grandpass Police on October 14, 2025.
Investigations revealed that he had been consuming alcohol with several individuals at a vehicle repair workshop in Kambikotuwawatta on October 11, 2025. The individuals who were with him reportedly fled the area following his disappearance.
On October 30, 2026, officers of the Colombo District Crimes Division arrested two suspects in Mabola and Mahara. Information obtained during questioning led to the arrest of two additional suspects in Uswetakeiyawa.
The four suspects, aged 29, 32, 37 and 46, are residents of Wellampitiya and Agalawatta.
Police said questioning revealed that the victim had been killed at the workshop, after which his body was allegedly taken to Papiliyawala in the Kirindiwela Police Division and set on fire.
The remaining human remains were allegedly disposed of in the Kelani River from the Ranwala Bridge in the Kosgama Police Division.
Investigators recovered several items suspected to be connected to the crime, including a motorcycle ignition key, an amulet, bone fragments and a piece of burnt tent fabric.
The findings were reported to the Pugoda Magistrate’s Court, following which a crime scene examination was conducted in the presence of the Pugoda Magistrate and a Judicial Medical Officer.
A separate search operation was conducted in the Kelani River near Ranwala Bridge on November 1, with the assistance of Sri Lanka Navy divers, the Avissawella Magistrate and the Seethawaka Crime Scene Investigation Unit.
Police said the four suspects have been remanded until November 2, while the Colombo District Crimes Division continues further investigations. (Newswire)