90-day detention for alleged gunman in Akuregoda murder

Police obtained a 90-day detention order to further question the suspect believed to be the second shooter in the Akuregoda double murder case.

The suspect confessed to investigators that he acted as the gunman in incidents resulting in approximately 48 deaths across the Southern Province and other regions.

Investigations revealed that following the targeted killing of a lawyer and his wife in front of an Akuregoda supermarket, the suspect fled to Monaragala after receiving Rs. 200,000 in Malabe.

He admitted to being the primary shooter in over 20 separate incidents, claiming these acts were carried out under the instructions of organised criminal "Karandeniya Suddha."

"Sir... Suddha is my god. I will do anything for Suddha. I don't do these things for money," the suspect reportedly told investigating officers. Regarding the specific Akuregoda shooting, he stated, "Sir, I fired one shot at each of them. When I went for the third, my weapon jammed."

Following the crime, the suspect got out of the car at Kottawa junction and took a bus toward Malabe, where an individual handed him the cash payment.

He then traveled via the expressway to Mattala, noting that he was the only passenger on the bus besides the driver.

After reaching Mattala, he took another bus toward Monaragala. Upon arrival, he received a phone call instructing him to board a three-wheeler which took him to the Nakkala area.

There, he was met by another suspect named Kelum, an associate of the organized criminal "Angoda Lokka." It was further disclosed that an individual in Dubai had called Kelum, instructing him to keep the shooter safe.

The suspect was subsequently taken to a rented house where he remained until his arrest.