Police have appealed to the public to help locate a key suspect wanted in connection with the murder of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, Lasantha Wickramasekera, who was shot dead by an unidentified gunman on 22 October.
According to police, the investigation into the killing is being carried out under the direct supervision of Senior Deputy Inspectors General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), and the Southern Province. Several specialised police teams launched a coordinated operation following intelligence leads.
During a planned operation by the FCID, information was received that suspects linked to the murder were hiding in the 50th Division area of the Kekirawa Police Division in the Anuradhapura District. Acting on this, officers from the FCID, assisted by the Police Special Task Force (STF) and Army personnel, raided an abandoned house and surrounding land used as a paddy storage area early this morning (26).
Police arrested a man and a woman at the location. However, several others who were with them attempted to resist arrest, leading to a scuffle during which a police officer sustained injuries and was hospitalised.
During the raid, officers also recovered a motorcycle believed to have been used in the crime, over Rs. 120,000 in cash, heroin and ‘ice’ narcotics, and drug paraphernalia. Another suspect from the same area who had provided shelter to the group was also taken into custody.
Police said that one suspect, identified as Hakunugoda Paranaliyana Nuwan Tharaka, a resident of Agulugama, Bandipitiya, and Konthapana areas, managed to flee the scene. The public is urged to provide any information leading to his arrest.
The suspect is about 5 feet 6 inches tall, with the English word “ANURADA” tattooed on his right upper arm and the phrase “හිතුමතේ ජීවිතේ” tattooed on his left arm.
Police have released his photograph and requested anyone with information to contact the following numbers:
- Tell the IGP (WhatsApp): 071 859 8888
- Financial Crimes Investigation Division: 011 233 7162 / 071 859 2087
The CID, FCID, Southern Province Crime Division, Matara and Anuradhapura Crime Divisions, STF, and Army personnel are conducting joint investigations to apprehend the remaining suspects.
