Police seek Public Help to Trace Suspects in Thalangama Double Murder

COLOMBO (News1st):Police are seeking public assistance to identify the suspects involved in the double murder reported in Thalangama, Akuragoda

Investigations have revealed that the suspects had travelled through Homagama, Pothuarawa Road, Athurugiriya, Kottawa and Makumbura.

Police suspect the attackers arrived in a car bearing registration number KI 7738 and have requested the public to provide any dashcam footage of the vehicle by contacting 0718598008 or 0718592279.

Police said the number plate believed to be linked to the car was later recovered in Kottawa.

Investigators have also received information that the fleeing vehicle had collided with a motorcycle while escaping.

According to police, the shooting that killed lawyer Buddhika Mallawarachchi and his wife was allegedly carried out under the direction of an organised criminal known as Karandeniya Sudda. 

Ten special teams — including officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, Special Task Force, Colombo Crimes Division and Terrorism Investigation Division — have been deployed to arrest those responsible.

Police said the deceased lawyer had appeared in court in cases linked to organised crime figures, and preliminary investigations suggest the killings may have stemmed from a dispute involving the sharing of case-related information.

The shooting occurred at around 4:50 p.m. yesterday at a supermarket car park in Akuragoda, when two armed individuals arrived in a car, opened fire and fled. A T-56 firearm and a pistol were reportedly used in the attack.

The victims — a 44-year-old lawyer and his 42-year-old wife, both residents of Athurugiriya — were pronounced dead at the scene. 

Following the magisterial inquest, the bodies were transferred to the Colombo National Hospital for post-mortem examinations.