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| Sunday, 9 January 2005 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Underworld gangster arrested by Jayampathy Jayasinghe An underworld gangster wanted in connection with several unsolved murders at Kotahena has been arrested by the detectives of the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) on a tip-off last week. Police had identified the suspect as one Shantha, a gang leader from Kotahena who has worked closely with the most feared God Father of Crime, Nawala Nihal who is now languishing in prison. A .9 mm pistol with 59 rounds of ammunition along with a T-56 magazine was found in the possession of Shantha at the time of arrest. Police suspect that Shantha masterminded a plot and killed Suranga, his rival gang member at Kohuwela while travelling in a three-wheeler taxi about two months ago. Previously, on several occasions Shantha and Suranga had tried to kill each other. Shantha and his henchmen were fired upon by Suranga and his gang while he was travelling in a three-wheeler taxi at Narahenpita. However both of them escaped death but sustained serious injuries and were admitted to a hospital in Colombo. CCD sources said that they are investigating whether Shantha hatched and organised a plot to kill Suranga while he was hospitalised. Some time back another notorious gang member, Aruna Chutta who worked closely with Moratu Saman also attempted to kill Suranga but failed. Aruna Chutta had been a friend of Shantha for some time. Subsequently, Police arrested Aruna Chutta and found in his possession a T-56 automatic rifle and a .9 mm pistol. Presently, Aruna Chutta is in remand prison in connection with number of cases against him. Many notorious underworld figures have been killed during the past year by the Police or fighting among themselves. Colombo Crime Division, Director, SSP Sarath Lugoda is directing further investigation into several unsolved murders in Colombo and elsewhere. |
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