Police have apprehended a suspect wanted for the murder of a 78-year-old man in the Koralaima-Kiriwaththuduwa area on August 8. The suspect was tracked down and arrested near Kesbewa after evading authorities for several weeks.
A man has been arrested by the Kahathuduwa Police in connection with the killing of a 78-year-old resident of Koralaima, Kiriwaththuduwa. The suspect was taken into custody near the Kindelpitiya Bridge in Kesbewa following a tip-off to the Crime Investigation Division.
According to police investigations, the incident occurred on August 8 when the suspect allegedly attacked a teenager with an iron bar at his residence. When the elderly victim attempted to intervene and protect his grandson, the suspect is said to have turned on him with the same weapon, resulting in fatal injuries. The teenager was also reportedly assaulted during the confrontation.
Police revealed that the suspect and the victim's 17-year-old grandson had been using narcotics together over a period of time. The incident was allegedly triggered when the teenager refused to join the suspect in taking drugs on the day of the attack. Following the assault, the suspect fled the area, initially walking to Horana and Ratnapura before reaching Pelmadulla. He subsequently traveled by bus through Embilipitiya and eventually to Colombo, attempting to evade capture by hiding near Boralesgamuwa.
Investigations indicated that the suspect is a resident of Kiriwaththuduwa with a significant drug addiction and involvement in cannabis distribution in the locality. After his arrest, he was presented before the Kesbewa Magistrate's Court and remanded in custody until September 3 to allow further investigations.
