Port City abduction murder investigators arrest two Chinese suspects as police examine a financial dispute, abandoned vehicles and a firearm.
The Port City abduction murder investigation has widened after police arrested two Chinese nationals who allegedly tried to leave Sri Lanka following the killing.
Police are investigating the violent confrontation, abduction and death through teams from the Colombo Harbour Police and Eheliyagoda Police.
Police Media Spokesperson ASP F.U. Wootler said several other units, including the Colombo Crime Division and Airport CID, were also involved in the inquiry.
Two Chinese suspects were arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport on July 23. Investigators suspect they were connected to the confrontation involving two groups of Chinese nationals at Colombo Port City.
Port City Abduction Murder Began With Early-Morning Clash
According to the account provided by police, three Chinese nationals arrived near a bridge in the Port City area at about 2 a.m.
Police said they had travelled there in a hired vehicle and intended to go fishing.
Another group of Chinese nationals then allegedly arrived in two vehicles and attacked the three men.
The attackers reportedly left one van inside Port City and removed the three victims in another vehicle. Police later recovered what appeared to be a pistol from the abandoned van and began examining it as part of the investigation.
Two of the abducted men were subsequently abandoned within Colombo with injuries. Authorities admitted them to a private hospital for treatment.
The third Chinese national remained missing after the confrontation. Initial police reports described him as having been allegedly abducted, while investigators worked to establish what had happened.
Body Discovered in Eheliyagoda Woodland
Later on July 23, a police team conducting a separate operation in Eheliyagoda discovered a body in a wooded area.
Reports said officers found the remains concealed beneath a suspicious arrangement of stones in the Gatekade area of Karandana.
Police later connected the deceased man to the Chinese national taken from Port City. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.
The discovery prompted investigators to coordinate the Port City and Eheliyagoda inquiries.
Police have not publicly released all forensic findings or explained precisely when, where and how the victim died.
Two Chinese Suspects Arrested at Katunayake Airport
Airport CID officers arrested two Chinese nationals, aged 34 and 38, at around 4.30 p.m. on July 23.
The suspects had reportedly arrived at Katunayake Airport to board Air India flight AI-2275. Their intended journey was to Singapore through Mumbai, India.
Police acted after receiving intelligence that men linked to the case might attempt to leave Sri Lanka.
Authorities have also taken steps to prevent other potential suspects from fleeing the country.
The investigation reportedly includes notifying the courts and the Department of Immigration and Emigration about individuals police may seek to question.
Chinese Embassy Calls for Thorough Investigation
The Chinese Embassy in Colombo said it was closely monitoring the incident.
It urged Sri Lankan police to conduct a comprehensive investigation and establish the facts as quickly as possible.
The Embassy also asked authorities to protect the safety, lawful rights and legitimate interests of Chinese citizens in Sri Lanka.
In addition, it advised Chinese nationals living or travelling in the country to remain vigilant and contact the police or Embassy during emergencies.
Financial Dispute Examined as Possible Motive
Police believe a long-running financial dispute between two groups of Chinese nationals may have triggered the attack.
However, investigators have not yet publicly established the full nature of that disagreement or confirmed each suspect’s alleged role.
Officers have recovered three vehicles believed to have links to the case from Port City, Padukka and Eheliyagoda.
Investigators are now examining the vehicles’ ownership, movements and possible use during the abduction.
The Port City abduction murder remains an active investigation. Police must still determine the sequence of events, identify everyone involved and establish the evidence linking each suspect to the killing.
