March 13, Colombo (LNW): A key suspect linked to the recent triple murder in Middeniya has been apprehended at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake whilst attempting to flee the country to Dubai, authorities confirmed.
The individual, whose identity has not yet been released, is believed to have played a significant role in aiding and abetting the brutal killings.
In the aftermath of the tragic incident, which took place on the night of February 18, police have arrested over ten individuals, including two police constables and two former military personnel, all of whom are suspected of involvement in the crime.
The deadly shooting occurred near Kadewatta Junction in Middeniya, where the victims were targeted whilst travelling by motorcycle. The primary target, a man known by the alias “Kajja,” was fatally shot in front of his two young children.
His son, aged nine, and daughter, aged six, were both critically injured in the attack. They were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals in Embilipitiya and Tangalle.
Despite efforts to save them, the young girl succumbed to her injuries shortly after being admitted to Tangalle Hospital, whilst her brother died the following day in the same facility.
Law enforcement agencies have suggested that the shooting was not a random act of violence but was carried out as an act of revenge. The motive appears to be linked to the theft of a significant quantity of cannabis from a well-known local drug trafficker, “Backhoe Saman.” Police believe the murder was orchestrated by the drug lord as a reprisal for the stolen goods.
The arrested gunman, along with the other detained suspects, reportedly confessed to carrying out the killing on the orders of “Backhoe Saman,” who had hired him in exchange for settling his personal debts.
Authorities are now investigating the full extent of the criminal network involved and are working to uncover any additional leads that may help them close in on the remaining perpetrators.
