Chief suspect of murder in Kandana drowns while making an escape from custody

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Chief suspect connected to the murder of a woman in Kandana drowned in the Dandugam Oya in Ja-Ela while fleeing from police custody. The suspect had made his escape while being transported to Colombo after being arrested in Anuradhapura last night (October 05) by the officers of the Crimes Unit of the Kelaniya Police Division. Police media spokesperson, SP Ruwan Gunasekara confirmed that Illandaarige Sanjeewa Alias Amunugoda Sanjeewa was a gang member of an organized crime group. SP Ruwan Gunasekara said the arrest was made last night by the Crimes Unit of the Kelaniya Police division and while the suspect was being transported to Peliyagoda at around 4.00 am he had made his escape in the pretense of using the toilet. The suspect assaulted an officer whilst escaping and jumped into the Dandugam Oya. Although the suspect was rushed to the Ragama hospital he was pronounced dead upon admission. The suspect had served in the Army Special Forces under badge number 77540. He resigned in 2004 and had several cases of robberies and murders against him. The Police spokesperson revealed the shooting was carried out based on a contract given by Ganemulla Sanjeewa who is currently in prison, to kill the criminal gang leader Pathaduwana Ajith, on the 30th of September. But instead, the suspect had shot the wrong target killing a woman instead. Police media spokesperson, SP Ruwan Gunasekara said the contract was accepted in exchange for One kg of heroin. The deceased 40-year-old woman was a resident of Welikandura area in Ja Ela.