Second Accomplice Nabbed in Killing of Backhoe Saman's Mother

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A second suspect has been arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting the shooting murder of the mother of organized crime figure and drug trafficker Backhoe Saman, police said.

The arrest follows information uncovered during the interrogation of a suspect who was taken into custody on August 19 in connection with the same crime.

The latest suspect is a 24-year-old resident of the Middeniya area.

Police said officers attached to the Tangalle Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau arrested the suspect during a raid and subsequently handed him over to the Middeniya Police for further investigations.

Earlier, a 21-year-old resident of Udahakada, Middeniya, was arrested on August 19 for allegedly assisting in the murder.

Police stated that after being produced before the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court, permission was granted to detain and question the suspect until yesterday.

Investigations carried out during the detention period revealed that the suspect had allegedly shown the route leading to the victim’s residence to facilitate the shooting.

The suspect was later produced before the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court and remanded until September 2.

The victim, the mother of Backhoe Saman, was shot by two unidentified assailants who arrived on a motorcycle at around 6.00 p.m. on August 12 before fleeing the scene.

She sustained critical injuries in the attack and died after being admitted to hospital.

Backhoe Saman, identified by authorities as an organized criminal and drug trafficker, is currently being held at the high-security Boossa Prison.