‘Gonakovile Raja’ shot dead in police confrontation

An underworld figure Pathiranage Raja Wimaladharma alias ' Gonakovile Raja', the main suspect of the shooting incident at an eatery in Soysapura, Moratuwa, has been shot dead by the police early this morning in Minuwangoda.

Police said the suspect died in a confrontation with the police at Dunagaha, Ballapana in Minuwangoda.

Police said the suspect had opened fire at the police when they attempted to arrest him based on a tip-off received that a suspect had been hiding in the area.

The raid was carried out by the officers of the Peliyagoda Divisional Crimes Division and Kelaniya Crimes Division.

The 50-year old suspect, temporary resident of Ballapana in Divulapitiya was admitted to the Divulapitiya Hospital and has succumbed to his injuries.

According to the investigation, the suspect was wanted over several murders.
   
The police launched investigations after a group of gunmen, who arrived in a car opened fire at an eatery in Soysapura last month while three police officers were on duty.

It was reported that the suspect was a close supporter of absconding underworld criminal ‘Kudu Anju’ who was alleged to have linked to the assassination of SLPP Dehiwala - Mount Lavinia Municipal Councillor K. Ranjan de Silva.(Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)

Pix by Pushpakumara Mallawaarachchi