Rs. 1.5M Contract Behind Weligama Chairman’s Assassination

COLOMBO (News 1st); Police investigations have revealed that the assassination of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara was allegedly carried out under a contract worth Rs. 1.5 million.

This revelation surfaced during interrogations of the suspected gunman, who was arrested yesterday (26) evening in Nawinna, Maharagama.

Authorities plan to detain the suspect for 72 hours for further questioning.

The arrest was part of a coordinated operation involving the Police Special Task Force, State Intelligence Service, and local police units.

So far, seven suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the murder, including individuals from Galle, Kekirawa, and Weligama.

Among those arrested are the gunman, his wife, and the motorcycle rider who allegedly assisted in the escape.

Three suspects — two men and a woman — were apprehended early yesterday in Kekirawa, Anuradhapura.

The gunman, who had initially fled, was captured later that day in Maharagama.

The Financial Crimes Investigation Division has now launched a probe into the financial aspects of the murder.

Police say ten specialized teams have been deployed under the direct supervision of the Inspector General of Police to investigate the case.

These teams include Senior DIGs from the Southern and Western Provinces, the Criminal Investigation Department, State Intelligence, the Commandant of the Police Special Task Force, DIG for the Colombo Range, DIG for Western Province South, the Director of the Financial Crimes Investigations Division, Director of the Criminal Records Division, and the Director of the Southern Expressway Police Division.

Chairman Wickramasekara was fatally shot by an unidentified gunman on October 22 in Weligama.