Two Suspects Arrested in Kadawatha With Ice, Swords and Fake Number Plates

Colombo, September 24, 2026 — Kadawatha Police said that two alleged associates of two organised-crime figures currently believed to be overseas, identified as “Mattakkuliya Ruban” and “Angoda Priyankara,” were arrested today with two sharp swords, a machete, approximately 22.8 grams of crystal methamphetamine known as “Ice,” and four fake vehicle number plates.

The two suspects were arrested near the fitness trail in Dalupitiya, Mahara, based on information received by Kadawatha Officer-in-Charge Chief Inspector Buddhika Rajapaksha.

Police said the suspects were identified as a 40-year-old resident of Halmulla and a 37-year-old resident of Welewatta.

During a search, police reportedly recovered 12.5 grams of Ice from one suspect and 10.3 grams from the other.

According to information revealed during questioning, police suspect that the two men had been involved in a plan to attack and kill an individual who was travelling on a motorcycle in the Kirinda area on September 5. Police further allege that the suspects had intended to use a vehicle resembling a police jeep in the incident and subsequently leave the victim’s severed head in front of the residence of Rohan Olugala, Director of the Walana Anti-Narcotics Bureau.

Police investigations reportedly revealed that the individual who provided the information to police had previously informed Director Rohan Olugala that a consignment of narcotics was being transported to Sri Lanka by boat from overseas.

According to police, investigators suspect that the alleged attack was intended as retaliation for providing that information. The informant was reportedly travelling on a motorcycle when the suspects allegedly approached in a jeep and struck him, before fleeing the scene. He is reported to have sustained injuries in the incident.

Police subsequently searched the residence of one of the arrested suspects, a resident of Wellampitiya, and recovered two swords, a machete and four fake vehicle number plates, according to the police.

The two suspects were scheduled to be produced before the Mahara Magistrate’s Court today.

Further investigations are being conducted by officers of the Kadawatha Police Criminal Investigation Division under the direction of Chief Inspector Manjula Silva, OIC of the division, on the instructions of Kadawatha OIC Chief Inspector Buddhika Rajapaksha.