Red notice fugitive in Akuregoda double murder extradited from Maldives

Colombo, July 5 (Daily Mirror) - A suspect wanted in connection with the Akuregoda double murder and the subject of an International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) Red Notice was arrested upon his arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, after being extradited from the Maldives on 4 July 2026.

According to Police, the 23-year-old suspect, a resident of Ethulgama, was brought back to Sri Lanka by a team of officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). He was identified and detained at the airport through the automated biometric E-gate system before being handed over to the Western Province South Crime Division for further investigations.

Investigators allege that the suspect played a key role in the double murder that occurred on 13 February 2026 in the Akuregoda area under the Thalangama Police Division. The victims, an attorney-at-law and his wife, were shot while travelling in their vehicle. Police believe the suspect drove the getaway vehicle used by the gunmen following the attack.

Police further stated that the suspect has a criminal history and was out on strict bail over previous cases at the time of the double murder. He had been arrested by the Malwathuhiripitiya Police on 21 October 2025 for the unlawful possession of a T-56 assault rifle and later released on strict bail by the Minuwangoda Magistrate's Court. He was also arrested by the Welikada Police on 15 December 2025 for heroin possession and subsequently released on strict bail by the relevant Magistrate's Court.

The Western Province South Crime Division is continuing investigations to determine the suspect's alleged links to the organized criminal network believed to be behind the Akuregoda double murder.