On the night of February 21, 2025, two individuals arrived on a motorcycle and shot and killed 38-year-old Sivalingam Sasikumar inside a telephone shop in the Kotahena Police Division.
Following the incident, police officers chased the suspects and managed to arrest them while they were attempting to flee. The officers also recovered the T-56 firearm used in the shooting along with the motorcycle.
During interrogation, the suspects revealed information about hidden weapons, leading the police to escort them to the Kakadupatha area in the Mattakkuliya Police Division to recover the firearms. However, while at the location, the suspects began acting aggressively and, in an attempt to escape, tried to snatch the firearm of the Kotahena Police OIC. In the ensuing struggle, a police constable was shot in the leg.
In response, another officer opened fire to protect the police team, injuring both suspects. They were immediately transported to the Colombo National Hospital, where they later succumbed to their injuries.
The injured police officer is currently receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital.
The deceased suspects were identified as residents of Piliyandala and Modara, aged 32 and 35. Further investigations have revealed that the 32-year-old suspect was the shooter and had resigned from the army in 2015.
The Kotahena Police continue to investigate the incident further.
