The Galle Division Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) has arrested a third suspect over the May 12 shooting and killing of an Ahangama moneylender at Dickson Junction in Dangedara, Ada Derana reported on Saturday.
CIB officers detained the suspect on Friday afternoon (29) at the Millagaha Junction area within the Bandaragama Police Division on charges of aiding and abetting the shooting. He was found in possession of 3 grams and 810 milligrams of crystal methamphetamine — known locally as “ice” — at the time of arrest, police said.
The arrest brings the total number of people detained in the investigation to three. Officers from the Walana Anti-Corruption Unit arrested two other suspects on May 23 in connection with the same incident. None of those detained is believed to be the gunman, with investigations continuing to identify and trace the shooter.
The 43-year-old victim, who was known to operate businesses and offer loans on interest, was leaving a rented house in Galle at about 7:30 a.m. on May 12 when gunmen who arrived in a red-coloured car opened fire and fled the scene. He sustained serious injuries and later died at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, where he had been admitted for treatment.
The drug seizure during Friday’s arrest adds a narcotics element to a case that police had initially treated as a business-related killing. The Galle area has seen a string of targeted shootings this year, including a shooting at the prison gate in an escape attempt on May 3.
Source: Ada Derana.
