|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 4 July 2004 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Army-Jine and his three buddies shot dead by Jayampathy Jayasinghe The chapter on Army-Jine, finally came to an end on May 19, when he was shot dead by an assassin at the Matara hospital while nursing his wounds after a gun battle with Sub-Inspector Sanjeewa Hettiarachchi of Weeraketiya police last month. Following the death of Army-Jine, his henchmen Bo-Suji, Vasantha Kumara and Jinadasa were terrorising the Palantota village to gain control of the underworld activities. However, they became targets of their adversaries who suffered immensely owing to the tyranny of Army-Jine and his underworld characters during the last decade. So much so that Army-Jine's three close buddies, Bo-Suji, Vasantha and Jinadasa abducted two sisters aged 17 and 19 respectively from Palantota village and raped them without remorse. After the harrowing incident, the victim's family decided to leave the village because of the stigma it had brought upon them. Of the three suspects, Bo-Suji, a 21-year-old native of Palantota, was a close confidant of the slain underworld figure, Army-Jine. Bo-Suji was a ruthless young man with a criminal track record. Villagers of Palantota feared him as much as they feared Army-Jine. In fact, both of them belonged to the dreaded Wombotta gang at Sooriya wewa that had terrorised the Southern province. The gang had been responsible for several murders in the area. Though relatively young, Bo-Suji was vicious and a vile tempered man. His registered name was Wanniarchchi Kankanamalage Sujith Indralal. Bo-Suji always carried a gun wherever he went because he feared for his life. He was such a paranoic character that he once cut off a portion of her aunt's hand because she admonished him not to pluck coconuts from her compound. On an earlier occasion, he even stabbed and killed his maternal grandfather and cut his grandmother's stomach over a dispute. The grandmother however managed to survive the assassination attempt. He was also wanted by the Weeraketiya Police in connection with two other murders in the Palantota village. After committing heinous crime Bo-Suji went into hiding in the jungles bordering Palantota and was rarely seen in public. There were enemies in the village waiting for an opportunity to bump him off to avenge their revenge. This was probably because of his association with Army Jine and his murderous gang. Bo-Suji like Army-Jine had brought misery and destruction to several families in the area. The gang often resorted to murder and pillage and terrorised the villagers. However, his enemies never got an opportunity to kill Bo-Suji until last week.Villagers, however managed to track down his other two buddies Vasantha and Jinadasa and shot them dead. Jinadsa's bullet riddled body was found abandoned on a cliff named Seelawathie. On another day, an unknown assassin entered Vasantha's house and also shot him dead. According to Weeraketiya Police, another underworld character who associated Army-Jine is still at large. It was a routine for Bo-Suji to return home every morning around 8.30 a.m. after spending the night in the jungle. He did so to wash himself and have his meals. His parental home was located close to the jungle. After Army-Jine's death, Bo-Suji spent most of the time in the jungle to avoid his enemies and the police who were after him. His enemies, however, soon got to know of his movements and hatched a plot to kill him. Last June 28 was a fateful day for Bo-Sujith. As usual Bo-Sujith emerged from the jungle and was heading towards home. His enemies had been waiting in ambush for an opportune moment. When Bo-Suji came close to them, a gunman sprang forward and fired three shots at him. The shots struck his head and his testicles, injuring him fatally. Later, a police party from Weeraketiya visited the scene of crime at Palantota and found Bo-Suji's body lying in a pool of dried blood. They also found three SG cartridges by the side of the body. Police are also following several clues to apprehend the culprits. Assistant Supdt. of Police Weereketiya, U. Ariyatilleke, has detailed Inspector M. L. Mahagedera, OIC Weeraketiya Police, with Sub-Inspector A. Bandara and PC Senadhira to investigate the murder. So far, no one has been arrested in this connection. According to Weeraketiya Police, Army-Jine and three of his close underworld figures involved in serious crimes, have been eliminated by his adversaries. As a matter of fact, Jine has been involved in some 38 murders and several rape cases. The villagers perhaps will be able to breathe a sigh of relief now. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
