31 August 2010 05:45 pm
Jayakody Arachchige Olcott Perera, a leading heroin dealer in Colombo who went underground ten years ago after evading the police, was shot dead while trying to escape from Special Task Force (STF) custody this evening.
STF Commandant DIG K.M.L Sarathchandra said that he took hold of a pistol belonging to an STF officer in the jeep and tried to use the weapon and open fire forcing the STF personnel to fire in defence.
"Olcott tried to escape, after he tried to open fire at the STF personnel after getting hold of a pistol and he was seriously injured when the STF shot back," he said.
The incident took place in Minuwangoda this evening. He was admitted to the Gampha Hospital. However he succumbed to his injuries. Olcott, a resident of the Borella Magazine road, evaded police custody since the year 2000.
He was wanted in connection with 26 murders and was captured in Kurunegala by the STF after gathering valuable information about his whereabouts, DIG Sarathchandra said.