In the extensive investigations ongoing into the assassination of the chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, the police are seeking public assistance to arrest the main suspect. The incident, involving unidentified gunmen who shot the chairman on the 22nd, prompted a swift joint operation by multiple police units to apprehend the criminals.
A special investigation unit comprising the Criminal Investigation Department, the Financial Crimes Investigation Division, and senior police officers of the Southern Province has been established under direct supervision. Their investigations revealed that a group of suspects involved in the murder is hiding in about 50 houses in the Anuradhapura Kekirawa police area.
Following this, the Financial Crimes Investigation Division, with assistance from special police task forces and army officers, conducted a dawn raid on October 26 in the area. During the operation, police arrested a suspect and an accomplice hiding in a house and seized motorcycles used in the crime, over 1.2 million rupees, heroin, ice drugs, and various drug-related paraphernalia. Another local providing shelter to the criminals was also arrested.
However, the principal suspect, Nuwan Tharaka Hakmana Paranaliyan, residing at a specific address in Angulugama, Bandipita, Kantapena, managed to escape after causing a scuffle with the police during the raid. He is described as about 5 feet 6 inches tall, with distinctive English and Sinhala tattoos on his arms reading “ANURADA” and “හිතුමතේ ජීවිතේ” respectively.
The police are appealing to the public to share any information about this suspect via WhatsApp at 071 859 8888 or through the Financial Crimes Investigation Division at 011 233 7162 / 071 859 2087. Multiple police units and the military continue their broad investigation to arrest all individuals connected with the crime.
