By Norman Palihawadane

A suspect wanted for aiding and abetting in the recent triple murder at Middeniya had been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport at Katunayake while attempting to flee to Dubai, police said.

The suspect, a 23-year-old man from Katuwana in Angulandeniya, was taken into custody by the CID. His arrest brings the total number of suspects taken into custody in connection with the murder to 13; they include two police constables and two army deserters.

The tragic shooting occurred on the night of 18 Feb., near the Kadewatta Junction in Middeniya, targeting a man identified as Aruna Vidhanagamage, alias ‘Kajja,’ who was travelling with his two children on a motorcycle. He was killed on the spot, while his critically injured children were rushed to nearby hospitals. The six-year-old daughter succumbed to her injuries shortly after arriving at the Tangalle Hospital, and the nine-year-old son died the following day.

Police suspect the murder was a revenge attack linked to the theft of a cannabis parcel belonging to a notorious drug trafficker, ‘Backhoe Saman.’ The arrested gunman, along with nine other suspects, reportedly confessed that he carried out the murder on a contract from ‘Backhoe Saman’ due to his own personal indebtedness.

The suspect, taken into custody yesterday, had been hiding in Diyatalawa before attempting to flee the country. He is expected to be handed over to the Middeniya Police for further questioning.