Police have arrested an individual suspected to be the primary suspect in the homicide of a Buddhist monk, who was fatally shot at a temple in the Malwathuhiripitiya vicinity back in January.
Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa toold Zira Daly that the arrested suspect acted as the gunman responsible for the shooting.
The suspect was arrested at Hambegama in Moneragala.
In the early morning hours of January 23rd, four assailants, arriving in a vehicle, carried out a fatal shooting of a Buddhist monk within a temple situated in the Malwathuhiripitiya area of Gampaha.
The victim, a 45-year-old Buddhist monk identified as Ven. Kalapaluwawe Dhammarathana Thero, sustained grievous injuries during the attack and was promptly rushed to Gampaha Hospital. Tragically, despite medical intervention, he later succumbed to his injuries.
To date, Police have arrested seven individuals suspected of involvement in the murder.
Also, they recovered a T-56 rifle, purportedly utilized in the assault, along with the remote switch of the vehicle employed during the shooting, from the possession of the fourth suspect.
