Drug dealer ‘Ketawalapitiye Sampath’ shot dead by police

A drug dealer, Ketawalapitiye Sampath, has been shot dead by police during a shootout at Gampaha, the Police Media Spokesman Jaliya Senaratne said.

Police Media Spokesman said the exchange of gunfire had occurred when a group of Police personnel had attempted to arrest the suspect in Malwathu Hiripitiya in Gampaha at around 5.30am today.

The suspect, who is a close associate of the gangster alias ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’, had worked as a gunman for criminal gangs.

It was also revealed that he was convicted of shooting a 35-year-old woman to death in Ranmuthugama area in Kadawatha on August 28, 2018.

The foreign-manufactured revolver used by the deceased to open fire at the police officers has been seized.

Colombo-North Crimes Division and Malwathu Hiripitiya Police are probing the incident further.