Main suspect in Dehiwala shooting incidents arrested with a foreign-manufactured revolver

During a special operation conducted by the Western Province Southern Crime Division, the principal suspect involved in a murder and a separate shooting incident in the Dehiwala area was arrested in possession of a foreign-manufactured revolver. The arrest was carried out on the afternoon of 23.01.2026 within the Kottawa Police Division.

The arrested individual is a 35-year-old resident of Dehiwala. Investigations have revealed that he is a former member of the Sri Lanka Army who was lawfully discharged from service in 2013. Based on information obtained during interrogation, police were able to recover the foreign revolver used in the crimes, which had been concealed inside an abandoned house within the Dehiwala Police Division.

The suspect has been identified as the second gunman involved in the shooting incident on Wanaratne Road, Dehiwala, on 06.12.2025, in which one person was killed and another sustained injuries. The other suspect connected to this crime was previously arrested in possession of a 16-bore firearm and has since been remanded.

Further investigations have also confirmed that the arrested suspect was the primary shooter in a separate incident on 30.12.2025, during which a 16-year-old girl was shot and injured in the Bodhiwatte area of Kohuwala.

According to police investigations, both shooting incidents were carried out under the instructions of an organized criminal and drug trafficker who is currently residing overseas. The suspect is scheduled to be produced before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court today (24.01.2026), while further investigations are being conducted by the Western Province Southern District Crime Division.