Police have arrested a suspect in connection with an attempted shooting at a cemetery in Mount Lavinia, with investigators alleging the attack was commissioned by an underworld figure.
Western Province South Crime Division officers arrested a suspect on July 2 following an investigation into an attempted shooting at Nisala Arana Cemetery in Mount Lavinia. The suspect was apprehended at a residence in Mihintale after authorities tracked his location.
According to police findings, the suspect allegedly received Rs. 280,000 from underworld figure "Kos Malli" to carry out the attack targeting the father of another underworld figure known as "Sando", who is believed to be abroad. The incident occurred on July 17, just four days after the suspect's release on bail from a separate shooting case.
Investigations indicate the suspect is a former member of the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces, having departed from military service in 2015. Prior to his involvement in the alleged Mount Lavinia incident, he had been held in custody in connection with another shooting in 2025 before securing bail on July 13.
Police have scheduled the suspect for an identification parade as part of ongoing investigations into the incident.
