The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) yesterday (19) informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena that the shooting and assault on the vehicle of Thusitha Halloluwa, former Director of the National Lotteries Board, had been a self-organized incident carried out in collaboration with several organized criminals.
Halloluwa, who had a warrant issued for his arrest, was taken into custody by the CCD at around 2 a.m. yesterday and produced before the court at around 3.30 p.m.
Following submissions, the Magistrate ordered that the suspect be remanded until August 28.
The CCD told the court that the suspect was travelling in a car in the Narahenpita area a few months ago when the alleged shooting took place. However, based on contradictions in his statements during the investigation, Halloluwa was later identified as the eleventh suspect in the case.
According to investigators, Halloluwa had staged the shooting with the assistance of eight organized criminals in an attempt to erode public trust in the government and the President.
They further revealed that CCTV footage showed the shooters leaving the scene without fear, driving in the same direction as before the incident. Investigators argued that this indicated pre-planning and collaboration with the suspect.
The CCD also pointed out that Halloluwa’s statements to investigators were contradictory. Initially handled by the Narahenpita Police, the case was later transferred to the CCD. Seven charges have been filed against the suspect, and CCTV footage of the incident has been sent for forensic analysis.
Investigators said that while Halloluwa had initially claimed an important document was stolen during the attack, he had failed to mention this in the complaint he later filed with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). This discrepancy further raised suspicion.
The CCD also informed the court that, although Halloluwa was ordered to hand over his mobile phone used on the day of the incident, he had submitted a different phone with a different IMEI number. Though he had claimed that his original phone was destroyed during the attack, investigations later revealed that he had continued using the same phone, even while hospitalized, but with a changed SIM number, indicating an attempt to mislead the investigation.
Appearing for the suspect, Attorneys Ajith Pathirana and Athula S. Ranagala requested bail, arguing that Halloluwa had already provided statements to the CCD on five occasions. They added that he had failed to appear earlier only due to the death of a relative, and therefore, he had no reason to evade police inquiries.
After considering the submissions, Magistrate Amarasena rejected the bail application, noting that the suspect was not cooperating with investigations. He further stated that offences under the Penal Code, the Firearms Ordinance, and the Explosives Ordinance appeared to have been committed. Accordingly, the Magistrate ordered the suspect to be remanded until August 26.
Additionally, the Magistrate released Halloluwa on personal bail of Rs. 100,000 in connection with a separate charge of failure to comply with a lawful order issued by a government official.
