Police commandos shoot and kill wanted man

By Norman Palihawadane

An accomplice of the deceased drug trafficker and underworld figure, Makandure Madush, linked to a number of crimes, including six murders, was shot dead by the Police STF commandos at Seeduwa yesterday.

The deceased was identified as 44-year-old Lalith Wasantha Pinto, a criminal gang leader, wanted for six murders, multiple robberies and abductions.

Police Spokesman Senior DIG Ajith Rohana said that STF had received information regarding the suspect’s movements and had pursued the luxury vehicle he was moving in.

Senior DIG Rohana said the STF personnel had been compelled to open fire when they attempted to search the vehicle at Baseline Road in the Seeduwa Police Division.

The suspect succumbed to his injuries on admission to the Negombo Hospital.

It was revealed that Pinto had been involved in a number of crimes in the Seeduwa, Wattala, Matara, Akuressa, Katunayake and Ragama police divisions since 1991.

The Police Media Spokesperson said that a mini-pistol had been found at the scene.

Two other persons traveling in the vehicle were arrested, and the Seeduwa Police have commenced a special investigation into the incident.