Suspects arrested over the killing of ‘Army Upul’

2026-03-18 - 15:14

The Kelaniya Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau states that the gunman and the pillion rider involved in the shooting and killing of an individual known as “Army Upul”, alleged to be a member of an organised crime gang, in the Batuwatta area of Ragama, were arrested the day before yesterday (17). The two suspects arrested are aged 30 and 32 and are residents of the Madampe area. Police stated that the individual who acted as the gunman in the shooting is a deserter from the Army. Investigations have revealed that the killing was carried out under the direction of an organised crime gang member known as “Batuwatte Chamara”. The shooting took place on 3 July 2025 in front of a house in the Batuwatta area, when two unidentified gunmen arrived in a three-wheeler and opened fire using a pistol-type firearm. Police have also revealed that the deceased, known as “Army Upul”, was a close associate of Ganemulla Sanjeewa, who was himself an organised crime gang member and had previously been killed.a