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| Sunday, 28 November 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Most dangerous criminal in WP killed Crime Sunday By Jaympathy Jayasinghe
Police have identified the dead persons as G. Chaminda Roshan Silva alias Thoppi Chaminda wanted in connection with nine murders and another underworld character named Janak Fernando. The murders have been committed in Colombo and the Greater Colombo area within the last four years. It was learnt the residents of Moratuwa and Katubedde on hearing the death of the notorious criminal Thoppi Chaminda had lit crackers to celebrate the occasion. Thoppi Chaminda became notorious when he shot dead Moratu Saman, another dangerous criminal while driving a vehicle at Moratuwa a few years back. Thoppi Chaminda along with another underworld figure named Janith Fernando were arrested by a team of Police officers led by Detective Inspector Samudrajeewa on a tip off at Nawala, Rjagiriya. The gangster had in his possession a Chinese-made micro pistol with several rounds of ammunition. He was inside a motor cycle sales shop at Nawala when Inspector Samudrajeewa found him seated on a chair. He was arrested along with another underworld character named Janak Fernando. Inspector Samudrajeewa who questioned the suspects had learnt that several other suspects wanted in connection with murders were residing at Kiribathgoda. Meanwhile the two suspects were then put inside a Police vehicle and taken to Kiribathgoda to round up the rest of the gang. The two suspects were in the back seat of the vehicle. While they were being escorted, Thoppi Chaminda attempted to strangle the police driver with his handcuffs. Then the Police officer seated on the front seat had fired at both suspects, who were succumbed to injuries. Thoppi Chaminda was an Island Reconvicted Criminal (IRC) 38/2002 wanted in connection with several murders and robberies of vehicles during the past few years. He was convicted and sentenced for two years rigorous imprisonment which was suspended for two years for the robbery of a motor car valued at Rs 800,000 at Mount Lavinia on 31 .1 1998. He was once again convicted and sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment for robbery of a motor vehicle valued Rs. 650,000. He shot and killed Babili Handige Sadamal on 9.6. 2003 at Mount Lavina. He shot and killed M. Appuhamilage Namal Thilingawansa alias Moratu Saman was shot to death by him on 18.5.2003 at Moratuwa. He shot and killed W.W.S.L. Fernando at Katubedde on 21.8.2003. He shot and killed W.T. Gunadasa at Delkande Junction on 4.8.2004. S.S. Fernando was shot to death at Rawata Watte, Moratuwa by him on 20.9.2004. B.N. Nimal and W. Dharmapriya were shot to death on 4.6. 2003 at Maharagama. He shot and killed D.A. Suresh Perera at Maharagama on 25.1. 2004. He shot and killed D.S.L. Dayaratne on 6.7.2004 at Maharagama. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Crimes and Intelligence Jayantha Wickremartane speaking to the 'Sunday Observer' said that they have proposed amendments to the existing law to extend the period of detention of a suspect by the Police to three days. Under the existing law the police is empowered to detain a suspect for a period of 24 hours and thereafter taken before courts. He said the time period was hardly sufficient to question underworld characters and narcotics dealers who were involved in several crimes. The matter is being examined by the Attorney General's Department and other agencies who would make recommendations. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
The Police last week launched an operation in the Colombo city to flush
out underworld figures from their hideouts which resulted in the death of
the most dangerous criminal in the Western Province along with another
underworld figure when police shot them dead while trying to escape from
custody last week.
