Suspect in custody falls to death at quarry when taken to recover hidden weapons

The suspect, who was under arrest in connection with a shooting incident in which a local councillor was killed last week, has died after falling off a granite quarry in the area of Kaduwela.

According to the police, the Police Special Task Force (STF) officers had taken him to the quarry to recover hidden weapons.

As per the police report, the suspect fell to his death while attempting to escape from the STF officers when he was taken to recover a cache of hidden weapons at a granite quarry at Weikkawattte Road in Kaduwela.

The suspect, who sustained critical injuries in the incident, was pronounced dead after he was rushed to the Oruwala Hospital in Athurugiriya.

Meanwhile, an STF officer, who was injured while struggling hand to hand in an attempt to prevent the escape, was also admitted to the Oruwala Hospital and later transferred to the Colombo National Hospital for further treatment.

The magistrate’s inquest on the suspect’s death is scheduled for this afternoon.

Nawagamuwa Police is conducting further investigations into the incident.

The 34-year-old, identified as Thuwan Shirar from Ihala Biyanwala in Kadawatha, was reportedly a close associate of criminal gang leader “Angoda Lokka” who died while in hiding in India.

Nawagamuwa Police said that investigations were underway against the suspect over 13 serious charges.

He was taken into custody on suspicion of gunning down and killing a member of the Kotikawatte Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha in the area of Mulleriyawa on August 02. 

The shooting victim, identified as Sumudu Rukshan, was a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) member of the Kotikawatte Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha.

Two unidentified gunmen who had arrived on a motorcycle opened fire at the PS member near Bank Junction in Mulleriyawa and fled the scene.