March 23, Colombo (LNW): The Matara Magistrate’s Court has directed that four individuals arrested in connection with the recent fatal shooting in Devinuwara remain in custody for further questioning until March 29.
Amongst those detained is a woman, as authorities continue to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The suspects were presented before the Acting Magistrate of Matara, who approved their continued detention as investigations progress. The shooting, which occurred on March 21 at approximately 11.45 p.m. near the southern entrance of the Devinuwara Sri Vishnu Devalaya on Sinhasana Road, resulted in the deaths of two individuals.
Police inquiries have pointed to the involvement of notorious underworld figure Shehan Sathsara, alias Bale Malli, as the mastermind behind the attack. Reports indicate that he is currently in hiding in Dubai.
The victims, identified as 29-year-old Pasindu Tharaka and Yomesh Nadeeshan, were both local residents and had been returning home from a birthday celebration in Kapugampura when they were ambushed.
Investigations suggest that the attack stemmed from an ongoing feud between the victims and Bale Malli. According to police, a group of armed assailants in a van deliberately rammed the motorcycle carrying Tharaka and Nadeeshan before opening fire with a T-56 assault rifle and a pistol.
The victims succumbed to their injuries at the scene, while the attackers swiftly fled.
Following the incident, law enforcement officers recovered 39 T-56 bullet casings and two 9mm bullet casings from the crime scene.
The van used in the attack was later found abandoned and set ablaze approximately 800 metres away, in an apparent effort to destroy evidence.
Police continue to intensify their investigation, focusing on tracking down those responsible, particularly Bale Malli, whose overseas whereabouts present a challenge to law enforcement.
