Three Arrested Over Ambalantota Murder; Victim’s Severed Head Placed on Statue

Police have revealed shocking details regarding the murder of a man who was shot dead inside a house in the Mamadala area of Ambalantota, after which his head was severed and placed on the hands of a statue of Rathnawali Devi in the area.

Three suspects connected to the high-profile murder have been arrested by police.

According to investigators, the murder was carried out as an act of revenge for the killing of the elder brother of one of the arrested suspects.

Police also stated that a person currently in remand custody is believed to have masterminded the entire operation.

The victim has been identified as 34-year-old Lakmal Chandruwan, also known as “Podi.”

The murder reportedly took place on the night of the 11th, which was also said to be the victim’s birthday.

Police said that the victim had been a suspect in a triple murder that occurred in Mamadala on February 2, 2025, and had been released on bail on March 30.

The suspects involved in the killing have been identified as Salitha Udayanga Mallikarachchi, Sameera Udayanga and Saranga Darshana.

The victim’s wife reportedly identified the suspects.

Sameera Udayanga was arrested on the day of the incident, while the other two suspects were arrested today (13) by officers attached to the Tangalle Divisional Criminal Investigation Unit.

Police investigations further revealed that one of the individuals previously killed by the victim’s group, known as “Metha Podi,” was the elder brother of the arrested suspect “Metha Lokku.” Investigators believe the murder was committed to avenge his brother’s death.

The dispute is believed to have originated from suspicions that information regarding illegal liquor operations had been provided to police.