A suspected shooter in the 13.02.2026 Akuregoda shooting incident in which a lawyer was killed has been arrested

The Western Province Southern Crime Division is conducting comprehensive investigations to apprehend all suspects involved in the shooting and killing of a lawyer and his wife while they were travelling in a car in the Akuregoda area, within the jurisdiction of the Thalangama Police Division, on 13.02.2026, by two unidentified gunmen who arrived in a car.

Accordingly, a team of officers from the Homagama Divisional Crime Investigation Unit, operating in coordination with the above division, arrested one of the suspected shooters in the Delduwa area, within the jurisdiction of the Ambalangoda Police Division, on the evening of 21.02.2026. A mobile phone believed to have been used in the commission of the crime was also recovered.

The arrested suspect is a 46-year-old resident of the Baddegama area.

In connection with this incident, three suspects were arrested on 16.02.2026 in the Kottawa Police Division and the Athurugiriya Police Division, and one suspect was arrested on 17.02.2026 in the Kahathuduwa Police Division, on charges of aiding and abetting and criminal conspiracy.

In addition, the Police Special Task Force arrested two male and three female suspects on 21.02.2026 on suspicion of facilitating and assisting the commission of this crime in various ways.

All arrested suspects, together with witnesses, are currently being detained by the Western Province Southern Crime Division for further investigations.

The suspected shooter has been identified as a person who legally left the Sri Lanka Army under the general amnesty granted in 2009 and is scheduled to be produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court today, 22.02.2026.

It is further stated that the suspect depicted in the AI-generated photo image released to the public on 20.02.2026 is not the suspect currently in custody.

 Further investigations are continuing to trace and arrest the individual shown in that image, who is believed to be the second shooter involved in this crime.

Members of the public who have any information are kindly requested to contact:

Deputy Inspector General of Police – Western Province North : 071 8598008
Divisional Officer – Nugegoda : 071 8591641
Director – Western Province Southern Crime Division : 071 8592279