Main Suspect Arrested in the Murder of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman

Police have arrested the main suspect connected to the killing of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara, during a special operation carried out in the Maharagama area. The arrest was the result of a joint operation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Financial Crimes Investigation Division, and the State Intelligence Service.

According to police sources, the suspect is approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and has distinctive tattoos on both arms — the word “ANURADA” on his right upper arm and the Sinhala phrase “හිතුමතේ ජීවිතේ” (“Life of Thought”) on his left arm. These details were made public earlier this week when police appealed to the public for assistance in locating him.

The suspect, who had previously escaped after an armed confrontation with police in the “Nivasa 50” area of Kekirawa earlier this morning, was finally captured within a few hours in Maharagama with the support of public information.

He has been identified as Nuwan Tharaka Hakmana Paranaliyana, a resident of Angulgama, Bandipita, Konthapane. Reports indicate that he is a former member of the Sri Lanka Army and is believed to be the main gunman responsible for the killing. The motorcycle and rider allegedly used in the assassination were apprehended the previous night (25th), and the main suspect has now been handed over to the CID for further investigation.

Meanwhile, six other individuals connected to the killing were also arrested this morning, police confirmed. Additionally, two more suspects linked to the crime were taken into custody in the Galle area by officers from the Matara District Criminal Investigation Unit.

In a separate early-morning operation in the Kekirawa Police Division, acting on intelligence that suspects were hiding in a house within an abandoned paddy field in the “Nivasa 50” area, officers from the Anuradhapura Division, Police Special Task Force (STF), and Sri Lanka Army surrounded the property. During the search, one male suspect and one female suspect were arrested.

A clash broke out between police officers and several others present at the location during the arrest, resulting in one police officer sustaining injuries and being admitted to hospital. The search also recovered a motorcycle believed to have been used in the crime, over Rs. 1.2 million in cash, and quantities of heroin, “ice” (methamphetamine), and related drug paraphernalia.

Another person from the same area who had allegedly provided shelter and assistance to the suspects was also taken into custody.

Separately, Weligama Police arrested a three-wheeler driver from the Hiyare area in Galle, suspected of providing logistical support to the gunmen. Investigations revealed that the driver had transported the shooters around Galle and Matara on the day before the attack.

Police investigations into the murder of Weligama PS Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara are ongoing, with several law enforcement units continuing to trace the broader network behind the killing.