Investigations had been initiated by the Uppuveli Police and the Matara Police Special Task Force Camp into an incident in which an unidentified gunman had opened fire on two individuals travelling in the rear of a hired three-wheeler heading towards Kappalthurai Junction, and fled the scene.

The incident took place on November 02, 2026, in the Kappalthurai area within the Uppuveli Police Division.

Accordingly, acting on information received, a team of officers from the Matara Police Special Task Force Camp arrested the suspect who had acted as the gunman in this incident in the Dikwella area on November 06, in connection with attempted murder and murder.

The suspect was subsequently handed over to the Uppuveli Police Station.

The two suspects who had been arrested by the Uppuveli Police Station on November 02 for possessing 32 grams and 800 milligrams of the narcotic substance known as 'Ice' (crystal methamphetamine) were placed under detention orders.

During further investigations, it was revealed that these two suspects had conspired to commit the murder and aided and abetted the commission of the offence.

The suspects are aged 24, 28 and 34 years and are residents of the Dikwella and Trincomalee areas, police said.

The suspect who acted as the gunman had previously served in the Sri Lanka Army and had been discharged in accordance with the proper procedures.

Further investigations into the incident are being conducted by the Uppuveli Police.