Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (29) ordered Thusitha Halloluwa, former Executive Director of the National Lotteries Board (NLB), to hand over his mobile phone to investigators probing the recent shooting targeting his vehicle.
This directive comes as part of ongoing investigations into the incident that occurred on 17 May at Dabare Mawatha, Narahenpita, where two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened fire at Halloluwa’s vehicle, injuring him. He was reportedly assaulted and hospitalised following the attack, during which a file in his possession was allegedly stolen.
Meanwhile, the court yesterday (28) granted permission to detain and question for 24 hours three individuals arrested in connection with the attack. The suspects were produced before Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena at his official residence.
The police, citing incomplete investigations, requested extended custody of the suspects, aged 31, 32, and 40, who were apprehended from Wattala and Colombo 14. One of the suspects, Mohammad Shafni, expressed a wish to make a personal statement before the Magistrate.
The court also directed prison officers to present the other three suspects already in custody, including a female, before the court on 29 May. These individuals had been previously remanded by the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court.
The Colombo Range Crime Division is handling the investigations under the directive of Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya.
