'Matiya', Kehelbaddara Padme's chief gunman, arrested in Malaysia, brought to the country

The criminal named 'Matiya', suspected to be the chief shooter of 'Kehelbaddara Padme', a powerful organized crime gang leader, has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport. After being arrested by security forces in Malaysia while residing there and subsequently deported to Sri Lanka, he was taken into custody by security forces immediately upon his arrival on the island.

This suspect, identified as Bombuwala Dewage Suranga Sanjeewa Karunaratne alias 'Kanuwana Matiya' or 'Army Matiya', is a 41-year-old resident of Kotugoda, Yagodamulla area.

Investigations have revealed that this suspect is a close associate of Mandinu Padmasiri Perera alias 'Kehelbaddara Padme', an organized crime gang leader currently in detention, and was the chief shooter operating under his direction. He has also been identified as the main person responsible for a severe shooting incident that occurred in front of the Gampaha Court Complex in July 2022.

This suspect has been directly accused of shooting and killing three individuals, including Saman Rohitha Perera alias 'Pas Podda', and causing serious injuries to two others. To apprehend the suspect who had fled the country after committing the crime, the Gampaha Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau had previously obtained a Red Notice through Interpol.

The suspect, arrested at Katunayake Airport, has been handed over to the Western Province North Crimes Division under strict security for further investigations. A 72-hour detention order is expected to be obtained for extensive questioning of this suspect, and further investigations into the incident will be carried out by the Western Province North Crimes Division.