Most wanted man among two killed

by Sarath Malalasekera

Two persons one of them a notorious criminal were killed in a shoot out at Parakrama Road in Peliyagoda yesterday.

According to police one of the victims Predeep Dias alias Mahataya, a most wanted man had gone to a regular liquor serving spot in the area for a drink. However his request was refused by the inmates of the house. At the same time several shots were fired at the house.

Another person identified as Priyantha was also killed in the shoot out. Three suspects have been arrested by the Peliyagoda Police in connection with the killings. Two of them had been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital with gunshot injuries and while the other suspect had been detained until completion of ongoing investigations, Peliyagoda Police said.

According to the investigations directed by Western Province North DIG Asoka Wijetilleke and conducted by Kelaniya Senior SP Upali Gunasekera, Pradeep had gone to a house at the Parakarama Road and wanted to drink liquor, when the shootout took place. Preadeep who was on bail recently is wanted in connection with several murders in the Peliyagoda Police area, Crimes ASP Priynatha Jayakody, who is assisting in the investigations said.

Pradeep is also wanted in connection with the killing of another criminal called Ihala Jagath, the Police said.

A team of officers attached to the Peliyagoda Police led by Chief Inspector Ranjith Kumarapeli, HQI Peliyagoda are assisting in the investigations.