STF Inspector arrested over Selesthimaduwa shootout

An Inspector of Police in the STF had been taken into custody by the Criminal Investigations Department in connection with the killing of an underworld gangster in Nochchiyagama two years ago, the Police said.

Underworld gang member Tennakoon Mudiyanselage Sarath Bandara (45) alias S.f.banda (45), and two others were killed in a shootout more than two years ago in Nochchiyagama.

IP Chaminda Kumara was produced before Anuradhapura Magistrate Harshan Kekulawela and detained for 48 hours on a court order for further questioning. The officer had been attached to the Ulukkulama STF camp in Anuradhapura at the time of the incident.

He had been arrested on Thursday (5) at his house in Jayasiripura in Anuradhapura.

Underworld gangster S.F. Bandara, Udagedara Saman Kumara and Gamage Pradeep Kumara died in the Police shooting at Selesthimaduwa on the Thirippane –Thuruwila Road in Anuradhapura on April 30, 2016.

The CID seized four T56 rifles used by the suspect for the shooting and produced in court earlier.

The investigations of the incident had been transferred from Thirappane Police to the Director CID Shani Abeysekara by IGP Pujith Jayasundara.

The CID told the court that they were conducting investigations to arrest several others involved in the incident.

CID Investigators ASP B.s.thisera, IP Sampatha Rajakaruna, Sergeant 14209 Mendis, 35021 Kannangara, and PC 44712 Seneviratne are conducting further investigations.