Ex-soldier suspected in four murders arrested

A former army soldier suspected of involvement in four murders, including the killing of a former prison officer in Bandaragama and the shooting of two youths in Borella, has been arrested by the Police Special Task Force (STF).

Police said that the suspect is believed to have committed four murders in August alone. The STF tracked him down following information that the gunman responsible for the Borella Sirisara Uyana double murder on August 7 was hiding in Siyambalanduwa, Ampara. He was arrested there yesterday (12).

Investigations revealed that the suspect was also responsible for the fatal shooting of former prison officer Lalith Kodagoda near the Thunodhiya Bridge in Bandaragama on August 21. He is further suspected of killing the father-in-law of underworld figure “Kudu Nilanga” in Panadura South on August 27.

According to police, three of the shootings were carried out with a T-56 firearm. In total, four people were killed in three separate incidents in August.

At the time of arrest, STF officers also seized more than 10 grams of the drug “Ice” from the suspect’s possession.

It was reported that the suspect had deserted the army in 2015 and is closely linked to several underworld figures, including Kudu Salindu, and Weligama Sahan.