Underworld Shooter 'Matiya' Deported To Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st); A suspect identified as Bombuwala Devage Suranga Sanjeewa Karunaratne, also known as ‘Matiya’, who allegedly worked as a gunman for organized crime gang leader Kehelbaddara Padme, was brought back to Sri Lanka today.

The suspect had been arrested by Malaysian security forces while residing in Malaysia. He was deported to Sri Lanka last night.

The 42-year-old, a resident of Kotugoda, Yagodamulla, had been the subject of an international red notice issued against him.

He faces serious allegations over a deadly shooting that took place within the Gampaha court premises on July 22, 2022. According to charges, he is accused of fatally shooting an organized criminal known as ‘Paspodda’ along with another individual, and injuring several others present at the location during the incident.

He was transported to Sri Lanka at 9:45 p.m. aboard AirAsia flight AK-047 from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Upon arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, the suspect was taken into custody by officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). After recording statements, he was handed over to the Colombo North Crimes Division in Peliyagoda for further investigations.