Five Arrested Over Fatal Jinthupitiya Shooting

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Police have arrested five suspects in connection with the recent shooting in Jinthupitiya, Colombo that left one man dead and two children injured.

Police said one of the suspects, who is believed to have aided and abetted the shooting in Jinthupitiya and Kotahena, was found in possession of 4 grams and 800 milligrams of heroin.

Those arrested are residents of Colombo 13, aged 18, 33, 40, 43, and 49.

Police said the suspects were produced before the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court, where a detention order was obtained for one of them. The remaining suspects have been remanded until January 26. 

Further investigations are being carried out by the Foreshore Police Station and the Colombo North Division Crimes Investigation Unit.

The shooting took place around 10.00 p.m. on Friday, January 16, in Jinthupitiya. 

The victim, a 44-year-old man identified as Liyanagoda Arachchige Jesu Naser from Colombo 13, succumbed to his injuries sustained from the shooting.

His four-year-old son and his sister’s three-year-old daughter were also injured in the incident and were admitted to the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital in Colombo, for treatment.

Police said two individuals who arrived in a three-wheeler, had opened fire at the victims. One of the attackers had reportedly disguised himself as a Muslim woman.

According to the police, the shooting was carried out using a revolver-type firearm.