3 suspects further remanded over container arson in bolawalana

Negombo Chief Magistrate Shilani Perera ordered the remand of three suspects until August 3 after police arrested them in connection with setting fire to a container truck and assaulting the driver and his assistant following a fatal traffic collision in Bolawalana along the Negombo-Minuwangoda road.

The detained individuals are aged 20, 25, and 26, residing in Negombo, Dagonna, and Kibulapitiya.

Two motorcyclists travelling towards Negombo died at the scene on July 29 when their motorbikes collided with a container truck turning across the roadway.

A crowd subsequently gathered to set fire to the container truck, cause property damage, and assault the driver and assistant.

Authorities presented the suspects to the Magistrate's chambers today, where police officer from Katana stated that police apprehended the suspects on charges of setting fire to the container truck, obstructing police duties, and brutally assaulting the vehicle occupants.

Police informed the court that several additional suspects remain at large and requested an identification parade since the driver and assistant can recognise the individuals involved.

Senior lawyer Primal Amarasinghe, representing the suspects, argued that the three suspects were present at the scene but did not participate in the arson or assaults, asking the court to cancel the identification parade.

Chief Magistrate Perera considered the submissions and directed that the suspects be presented at an identification parade on August 3 while remaining remanded until that date.