Two criminals die in shootout with police

By Norman Palihawadane

Two wanted criminals were killed in a shootout with police at Millawa, in Moragahahena, in the early hours yesterday.

Police identified the deceased as Imesh Danushka Darshana, 36, of Mattegoda and Suraj Prabodha Adihetti, 42, of Tanamalwila.

According to police they were manning a road block at Boraketiya Junction, in Moragahahena, when they signalled a three-wheeler to stop, but its driver defied the order. The policemen alerted the nearby police stations.

A mobile police team of the Western Province South Crime Division, operating in Moragahahena, spotted the three-wheeler and gave chase. Those travelling in the three-wheeler fired at the police at Millawa and the police retaliated. The two suspects were taken to the Horana Hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries. The police recovered a pistol in the three-wheeler.

Both suspects were wanted criminals for several offences, police said. One was an Island Reconvicted Criminal and army deserter. He had been convicted for possession of heroin and ganja in cases filed by Moragahahena, Mattegoda and Mirihana police stations, police said.

The other deceased was a temporary resident of Bandaranayakapura in Mattegoda. He was from Tanamalwila. He had been convicted for possession of ICE and ganja for cases filed by Piliyandala, Talangama and Tanamalwila police stations since 2017.

The Moragahahena police are conducting further investigations.