Two arrested over abduction and murder of youth in Kahawatta remanded
July 28, 2025 05:25 pm
Two individuals, who were arrested in connection with the abduction and murder of a youth in Kahawatta have been remanded until August 5, Ada Derana reporter said.
They were remanded after being produced before the Pelmadulla Magistrate’s Court.
The order was issued by Pelmadulla Magistrate Nuthinan Siriwardena.
The two suspects were wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of a youth and the injury of another individual in Kahawatta on June 30.
The duo had reportedly surrendered to Police yesterday.
The two suspects, residents of Homagama, were then handed over to the Ratnapura Division Crimes Unit.
Following interrogation, police referred them to a psychiatrist at the Ratnapura Hospital. After the evaluation, they were brought to the Pelmadulla Magistrate’s Court today.
The suspects were brought to court under tight security since they are due to be presented for an identification parade.
On June 30, a 22-year-old youth died in the shooting while another 27-year-old person was hospitalized after sustaining injuries.
According to the Western Province- North Crimes Division, four suspects were arrested for aiding and abetting the incident while the vehicle used to carry out the abduction has also been recovered.
The incident occurred at a house in Palansuriyagama, Kahawatta while two brothers were having a conversation with another young man.
One of the brothers reportedly escaped from the scene, while the other two individuals were abducted by persons claiming to be police officers. One of the abducted youths was made to kneel and was shot dead, while the other was critically injured and later hospitalized with gunshot wounds.
Police said several arrested suspects are close associates of Thanuja Sampath, also known as “Homagama Handhaya”, a well-known organized criminal currently hiding in Dubai.
It is believed that the shooting was carried out due to suspicions that one of the victims had provided information to authorities regarding their drug trafficking operations.
According to police, all individuals directly responsible for the murder have been identified and will be apprehended soon.
The Western Province Northern Crimes Division is conducting further investigations into the incident.
