Ex-Soldier Remanded Over Kahawatta Youth Murder

COLOMBO (News 1st): A chilling murder case in Kahawatta has taken a dramatic turn as a 43-year-old former army soldier was remanded until August 4 following his arrest in connection with the fatal shooting of a youth in the Andana area.

The suspect, a resident of Rambukkana, was apprehended in Kiribathgoda and presented before the Pelmadulla Magistrate’s Court. Police revealed that he had served in the Sri Lanka Army for 18 yearsy.

The incident, which occurred on June 30, involved a group of armed individuals who allegedly posed as police officers and forcibly abducted two brothers and a friend from a house in Koskaella, Andana. The victims were taken in a jeep to a remote location, where they were shot at close range.

22-year-old Iranta Suranjana was killed in the attack, while one of his friends sustained injuries. The elder brother managed to escape and alert authorities.

Investigations led police to a garage in Rambukkana, where the jeep used in the crime was recovered. Further questioning revealed that the vehicle had been provided by a known underworld figure named “Handaya,” currently residing in Dubai, allegedly under a contract to carry out the murder.

Police also uncovered another jeep linked to drug transportation, reportedly used by the same suspect. The revelations point to a deep nexus between organized crime, contract killings, and drug trafficking.

The suspect is now in remand custody as the Colombo North Crimes Division continues its probe into the broader criminal network involved.