Suspect falls of quarry and dies while in custody - taken to locate weapons

Shirar alias Tuwan, who was involved in a number of murders including the murders of Sumudu Rukshan, a Podujana Peramuna member of the Kotikawatta - Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Shaba, has died after slipping and falling off a quarry in Kaduwela - Korathota.

The 34-year-old is considered to be close associate of 'Angoda Lokka', a underworld gang leader who died in India.

The suspect, who was under arrest in connection with a shooting incident in which a local councillor was killed last week, died after falling off a granite quarry in the area of Kaduwela.

Nawagamuwa Police said that investigations were underway against the suspect over 13 serious charges.

According to the police, the Police Special Task Force (STF) officers had taken him to the quarry to recover hidden weapons.

As per the police report, the suspect fell to his death while attempting to escape from the STF officers when he was taken to recover a cache of hidden weapons at a granite quarry at Weikkawattte Road in Kaduwela.

The suspect, who sustained critical injuries in the incident, was pronounced dead after he was rushed to the Oruwala Hospital in Athurugiriya.

Meanwhile, an STF officer, who was injured while struggling in an attempt to prevent the escape, was also admitted to the Oruwala Hospital and later transferred to the Colombo National Hospital for further treatment.