The three suspects in custody over the Matara jewellery shop robbery, who are currently receiving treatment at the Karapitiya Hospital, have been remanded until July 02.
The suspects were ordered remanded by the Galle Chief Magistrate Nishantha Peiris, after visiting the hospital today (23).
One police officer was killed, two other police officers and two civilians were injured and hospitalised following the shootout outside a jewellery shop in the Matara town, between several armed men wearing helmets who were robbing the store and policemen, at around 10.45am yesterday (22).
Four suspects were arrested yesterday over the incident. However one of them, the main suspect, Chamara Indrajith Jayasundara, was shot and killed by police officers this morning when he allegedly attempted to hurl a grenade at them during the search for a hidden bag.
The three remaining suspects were all arrested yesterday when they admitted themselves to the Karapitiya Hospital with gunshot wounds.
One of them has been identified as Dharmakeerthi Tharaka Perera Wijesekara a.k.a ‘Kosgoda Tharaka’, who is a notorious criminal involved in organized crime and wanted by the police in connection with several crimes.
Another injured suspect was identified as Dharmakeerthi Maduka Nirmal Perera Wijesekara, the brother of the aforementioned ‘Kosgoda Tharaka’.
The other arrested robber is an individual by the name of Irandeniya Athula Kithsiri Kumara, a resident of Dutuwewa.
