Manampitiya – Nimal Jayaratne
A 40-year-old resident of the Tamil village in Manampitiya has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a shotgun in connection with a shooting incident at a church on Manampitiya Hospital Road in Polonnaruwa. The incident occurred around 7:05 p.m. yesterday (18th), according to Manampitiya Police.
The arrest was made based on a tip-off received by the Army Intelligence Unit. Police also seized an illegal shotgun found in the suspect’s possession.
The shooting took place at the church on the evening of the 18th. Investigations reveal that no one was injured in the incident, although the church’s glass panels were damaged.
According to the police, the suspect confessed to the Army Intelligence Unit that the shooting stemmed from a personal dispute with the church pastor. At the time of the incident, the pastor was not present, and the pastor’s wife was conducting the service.
The suspect will be produced before the Polonnaruwa Magistrate’s Court on the 19th.
A team of police officers, including Polonnaruwa Senior Superintendent of Police Nishan de Silva and Assistant Superintendent of Police for the Welikanda area, M.S.M. Jarul, visited the scene and conducted investigations. Further inquiries are being carried out by the Polonnaruwa Police, Aralaganwila Special Task Force, Welikanda Army, and Manampitiya Police.
