Police Media Spokesperson, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Buddhika Manathunga, revealed that the shooter who killed Ganemulla Sanjeewa was contacted by the criminals through Facebook messages.

Speaking on the Ada Derana Big Focus programme today (24), SSP Manathunga stated that the criminals identified the shooter as a former military member and lured him into the crime. They reportedly sent messages asking, “You don’t have any work, do you? You’re just hanging around, aren’t you? Let’s do a little job?” to entice him into carrying out the murder.

“Based on past experiences, it is clear to us that the majority of those involved in such crimes are either former members of the armed forces or the police. The Defence Secretary has instructed us to arrest them,” he said.

Manathunga further emphasised that deserting military service without a legal discharge is a crime, and the law provides for the arrest of such individuals. In the case of Ganemulla Sanjeewa’s murder, the suspects specifically targeted an unemployed former soldier, establishing a connection with him before drawing him into the crime.

“He was contacted via Facebook, and over time, he was gradually enticed into this act,” Manathunga added.

The police will continue to monitor and arrest deserters from the military and police forces linked to such crimes, he affirmed.