Foreigner killing - three arrested, wanted politician still at large

26 December 2011 02:59 pm Views - 6914

Three people were arrested in connection with the killing of a British tourist in Tangalle early Sunday morning. However the main suspect, Chairman of the Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha is still at large, the police said.

The van in which the suspects fled the area following the incident was also found in the Vitharandeniya area in Tangalle on Sunday night.

“The suspects surrendered to the police. The other suspect is the owner of the van,” police media spokesman Ajith Rohana said.

“We have identified a number of suspects who were inside the hotel in Medilla at the time of the incident. All were under the influence of alcohol and we have recorded a number of statements,” he said.

“I can say that we are looking to arrest more than ten suspects in connection with the incident. Also we are still waiting for the medical report,” he added.

The British national succumbed to his injuries before admission to the hospital and a 24 year old Russian girl who was with him was admitted to the hospital with serious injuries following a confrontation with several locals allegedly led by a local politician in the area inside a hotel in Medilla area in Tangalle.

Initial police investigations revealed that the victim had tried to intervene to stop a brawl between two local factions resulting in his death. According to eyewitnesses the local politician had allegedly assaulted both foreigners with sharp weapons.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) took over investigations last evening from the Tangalle police.

A Christmas party was taking place inside the hotel at the time of the incident at around 1.30am. The Russian girl who was with the victim who arrived to Sri Lanka last Saturday, is now receiving treatment at the Karapitiya General Hospital and she is in a critical condition. Eyewitnesses said that she was physically assaulted by the suspects.

Several broken pieces of bottle were found at the scene. According to eyewitnesses gun shots were also heard inside the hotel. (Supun Dias)