Avissawella shooting unveils journalist’s alleged role in crime

• Criminal Manna Romesh and journalist had several phone conversations  

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

Police have arrested four persons including a journalist of a private TV channel in connection with a shooting incident that took place in Talduwa in Avissawella on September 20.  Two men were killed and two others injured after an armed gunman opened fire at a group traveling in a three-wheeler in Gurupasgoda, Ihala Thalduwa in Awissawella.  Police said that the four men had been traveling in a three-wheeler after attending a funeral.    

Investigations revealed that the shooting was orchestrated by an underworld gangster identified as ‘Manna Ramesh’ who is currently operating from Dubai.   
Sources said that the journalist is suspected of providing assistance to the criminal Manna Romesh by sharing information. Police arrested the journalist at his residence at Meegoda. A check of his mobile phone revealed that he had made several phone calls to Manna Ramesh over the past few days.   

Furthermore, police have discovered that Manna Ramesh had deposited money into the journalist’s bank account on multiple occasions.   
The concerned journalist along with three others who provided accommodation and transportation facilities to the gunman were presented to the Avissawella Magistrate Court detained for further questioning.