COLOMBO (News 1st) – A house of a serviceman who was hired as a shooter by the arrested “Makandure Madush” to carry out his crimes was raided today(February 25) by the Matara Crime Investigation Unit.

The operation was carried out in relation to the assassination of  Hakmana SLPP Pradeshiya Sabha member, L.H Shantha in November last year(2018).

The 51-year-old suspect, Samantha Pushpakumara, attached to the Sapugaskanda Army camp was not at his residence when the raid took place. His father who was at the scene was arrested by the police.

The police seized several army uniforms, a T-56 assault rifle, ammunition(21)  along with handcuffs during the raid.

Police stated that the court had already issued an order to stop the suspect from leaving the country.

Police suspect that he was a perpetrator of the Pannipitiya gem heist last November and the handcuffs seized at the residence could have been used to abduct the businessman.

• MP Harin Fernando summoned to CID tomorrow (23)
• Batticaloa Campus will be a new university; Education Minister
• Highway troublemakers granted bail: Police
• SriLankan Airlines launches flights to Nairobi
• Ship carrying Uranium leaves Sri Lankan waters