Final countdown

The Highnoon shootout at Udugampola:

The shooting took place at Dolagatha road in Udugampola last Saturday when a car driven at break neck speed failed to stop when several policemen at the check point waved at the driver.

However, the driver after noticing policemen signalling him to stop the vehicle failed to do so for a multitude of reasons. Were they on a mission to rob a bank or were they planning to intercept a van transporting cash to a rural bank in Gampaha area? Or was it because they were frightened that the police would question the driver and his co-partner and discover the cache of arms in their possession. The police would undoubtedly learn what they had planned that day.

Acting on a tip off that two men travelling in plush car were planning to rob a van transporting cash to a near by bank in Udugampola area, police laid an ambush at Dolagatha road to apprehend two suspects. An armed police party arrived at Dolagatha around 10.a.m. and set up a road block to check vehicles that went in the direction of Udugampola. The policemen were briefed about the type of vehicle the men were travelling in. By now they knew the type of persons they were looking for.

They had their suspicion on two men from the Udugampola area believed to be involved in criminal activity in the Gampaha area. But what they needed was proof beyond any shadow of doubt before they could lay their hands on them. The two suspects had to be caught in the act of committing a serious crime, in the first place.

It was a miracle how the two men had escaped for so long after committing a series of robberies. After all they have had some luck to get away scot free. In the meantime police identified one man as Ajith (33) an employee of the Lotteries Board who was also a expert in Karate.

He was a native of Ganemulle and had previously worked as a body guard for a Provincial Minister. The other man was identified as Premasiri (46) an army deserter, from Veyangoda who was a top marksmen. Both men were experts in their own fields.

Since deserting the army, Premasiri took to big time crime to earn a living. He found it quite lucrative. Their partnership paid dividends, with several successful robberies being staged. It was a deadly combination with one being a Karate expert and the other being a top marksman ready to face any eventuality.

Meanwhile, several robberies were reported from Gampaha and in the adjacent areas without perpetrators being caught. Investigations revealed the hidden hand of both Ajith and Premasiri behind these crimes. But the police waited for an opportunity to apprehend them while committing a robbery.

It was around 11.a.m. when police spotted a car speeding towards Udugampola. The car matched the description given to them by senior officers. Despite being signalled to stop, the car sped away gathering speed to avoid the police check point. It was at this stage the policemen opened fire on the car to bring it to a grinding halt.

They were convinced these so were the two men they were looking for. The rapid firing brought the car to halt. When the car came to a halt Premasiri who was seated in the front seat alighted and fired at the policemen. The policemen fired back killing both Ajith and Athula on the spot ending the shoot out. They found the body of Ajith at the drivers seat.

When the shooting ended police searched the vehicle and found two micro pistols and two T-56 firearms. One micro pistol had 12 rounds of ammunition and the other had 21 rounds of ammunition.

The police team is now investigating how the two suspects came to possess a luxury car. Police sources told the Sunday Observer that the original car owner had been traced although he too had sold it to another person. ASP Gampaha, Lakshaman Cooray is directing further investigation in this matter.

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