February 23, Colombo (LNW): A fifth individual has been apprehended in connection with the tragic triple murder that occurred in Middeniya earlier this week, as reported by local authorities.
The arrest was made yesterday (22) in Thelambuyaya, an area within the Weeraketiya Police Division, by officers from the Tangalle Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau.
The man, aged 29, is a resident of the Wekandawala area in Thelambuyaya. His arrest brings the total number of people detained in connection with the brutal killings to five, with one of the suspects identified as a police constable.
Amongst the initial four suspects, three were arrested on February 21 and have been granted a 72-hour detention period by the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court.
The court order allows investigators to carry out further questioning as they work to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
The horrifying incident took place on Tuesday evening (20) near the Kadewatta Junction in Middeniya. The victim, a father travelling with his two children on a motorcycle, was targeted in a cold-blooded attack. He was killed instantly by the gunfire, while his two young children were left critically wounded.
The children, a six-year-old daughter and a nine-year-old son, were quickly transported to hospitals in Embilipitiya and Tangalle. Despite receiving medical attention, the young girl tragically passed away shortly after arriving at Tangalle Hospital, while her brother succumbed to his injuries the following day.
