Gunman Arrested in Killing of Ex-Homagama PS Member

COLOMBO (News 1st); A suspect has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of former Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha member Shantha Mudunkotuwa. The arrest was made during a special operation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in the Nagarewewa area of Hambantota.

Police suspect that the arrested individual was the gunman responsible for the assassination.

The 34-year-old suspect, a former army soldier residing in Barawakumbuka, has also been linked to two other attempted murders in Avissawella and Colpetty.

Following interrogation, police recovered a cache of weapons and narcotics hidden in the Hanwella area.

The seized items include:

A locally manufactured 9mm firearm

Four 9mm rounds

Two locally made 12-bore firearms

6 grams of the narcotic drug "Ice"

Shantha Mudunkotuwa, a former United National Party (UNP) local government member, was gunned down on August 12 while traveling on a motorcycle along Atigala Road in Meegoda.

The assailants, who arrived in a car, opened fire with a pistol before fleeing the scene.

Police investigations have also revealed that the murder may have been orchestrated by an organized criminal figure known as "Bus Lalith" or Lalith Kannangara, who is currently residing overseas.