Police on Tuesday foiled a suspected underworld attack targeting an individual working at a nightclub in Kollupitiya, central Colombo.
Acting on a tip-off received via the 119 Police Emergency Hotline, officers were deployed to the area amid reports of a planned attack by an organized criminal gang.
During patrols, police spotted two suspicious individuals on a motorcycle. As officers approached, the suspects attempted to flee, discarding a backpack near Alfred Place. A subsequent search of the bag uncovered a T-56 assault rifle and a cache of ammunition. One suspect was arrested at the scene.
The second suspect, the motorcycle rider, was arrested later in Maligawatta. Police later confirmed he was already wanted in connection with several ongoing criminal cases.
Following interrogation, three more suspects linked to the planned attack were arrested.
Police said initial investigations indicate the suspects were planning a retaliatory attack related to an ongoing gang feud. All five suspects, residents of Sedawatta, have been detained for seven days for further questioning.
