Akuregoda Update: Lawyer Mallawaarachchi also argued in court for the killer caught in Monaragala.

Three individuals, including the second gunman who is a key suspect in the shooting death of lawyer Buddhika Mallawarachchi and his wife in Akuregoda, have been arrested by the police in the Tankwatta area of Nakkala, Monaragala. This raid was carried out by the Monaragala Police last night (24) based on information provided to the 119 emergency number by a local resident who identified the suspects from photographs released to the media by the police.

The suspects have been brought to Colombo under tight security by the Western South Criminal Division, and currently, the police have succeeded in bringing both gunmen involved in this double murder and the group that aided and abetted them to justice.

The main suspect arrested is 39-year-old Manoj Udayanga, a resident of the Kananke area. He served in the Navy for about eleven years and legally resigned, and had also obtained a passport under the false name Rubas Ramesh. Severely addicted to drugs, he was found in possession of heroin and Kush drugs at the time of his arrest. While imprisoned for a theft, he established connections with crime gang leader Karandeniya Sudda, and later became his most trusted and skilled gunman.

During questioning regarding this murder, the suspect revealed that he only learned he was going to kill lawyer Buddhika Mallawarachchi after arriving at the scene to shoot him. It has also been further revealed that this lawyer had previously appeared for a case of the suspect through Karandeniya Sudda on one occasion. He carried out this attack using a pistol under the direct instructions of Karandeniya Sudda, and then hid in several locations in the Western Province before fleeing to the Monaragala area about three days ago. He is also connected to about six other homicides in the Southern Province, including that of a prison officer, and is currently being held under a 90-day detention order for questioning.

In addition to the gunman, the other two suspects arrested are Dinujana Sandaruwan, a resident of Ambalangoda, suspected of driving the car used by the killers, and Kelum Sujeewa, a resident of Angoda, who provided them with lodging. It is reported that several relatives of the car's driver are close associates of Karandeniya Sudda. The house in the Monaragala area was rented by Kelum Sujeewa, who is involved in road development work. Police investigations have confirmed that the driver was brought to this Monaragala house two weeks ago, and the gunman five days ago, under the phone instructions of criminal Pethiyagoda Sankha, and provided them with shelter.