The Western Province Southern District Crime Division has arrested five suspects allegedly involved in planning a murder in the Dehiwala area, in what police say was a revenge plot connected to a recent shooting.
According to police, the planned killing was intended as retaliation for a shooting on December 6 near a playground on Dehiwala–Wanarathana Road, where one person was fatally shot and another seriously injured.
Acting on intelligence, officers arrested the suspects in the Ratmalana area. They were arrested on charges of preparing to commit murder, conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and participating in an unlawful assembly.
The suspects, aged between 22 and 36, are residents of Pankulama, Ratmalana, Boralesgamuwa, and Moratuwa. One suspect from Pankulama was found in possession of 15 grams of heroin at the time of arrest. Police say he is also the alleged gunman in the killing of a Badowita resident in the Mount Lavinia Police Division on January 19, 2025—an incident for which a case is currently pending before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court.
Investigators also recovered a motorcycle believed to have been prepared for use in the planned murder. The number plate attached to the bike was found to belong to a motorcycle reported stolen in the Homagama Police Division.
The suspects are to be produced before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court today (11).
