Two army deserters arrested over series of robberies

The Kelaniya Division Crimes Investigations officers had uncovered a series of robberies in Kadawatha, Kiribathgoda and Wattala areas following the arrest of two army deserters in Peliyagoda.

Initially, the police arrested a 43-year-old suspect, D.S. Samantha Ariyasena, who is a resident of Kekirawa in possession of five grammes of heroin in Peliyagoda on Sunday.

Police said he was arrested following the information given by another suspect in their custody.

Earlier, the Kelaniya Division Crimes Investigations officers had arrested a 33-year-old suspect, D.S. Buddhika Ariyasena, a resident of Ragama in possession of heroin on September 3.

He was detained for further questioning after being produced in the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court.

Following the questioning of the 33-year-old, the police arrested his elder brother-Samantha.

Police said after lengthy questioning of both suspects, they were able to uncover the series of robberies.

Accordingly, it was revealed that the suspects were involved in eight robberies in Wattala, six robberies in Kadawatha and one from Kiribathgoda.

The police recovered gold jewellery worth Rs. 1.7 million, Rs. 450,000 in cash and several other electrical items they had robbed from several houses.

Police said the two brothers were registered as Island Reconvicted Criminals (IRCs).

Both suspects would be produced in the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court.

IP D. Lorans and IP Kelum Sangeeth of the Kelaniya Division Crimes Investigations Unit are conducting further investigations. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)

Video by Lal S Kumara