1 week Ago By Thilina Walpola
Ishan Madhusanka, one of the prime suspects in the shooting that killed underworld figure Aruna Widanagamage, alias “Kajja,” and his two young children, at Middeniya, was arrested in India and brought back to Sri Lanka, through the Katunayake Airport, yesterday morning (25). He was taken into custody by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and handed over to the Middeniya Police for further investigations. Kajja and his children were shot while travelling together on a motorcycle on the night of 18 February in the Thorakolaya area in Middeniya.
The hitman, upon noticing the children on the back of the motorbike, initially hesitated to shoot. However, Ishan Madhusanka, who was riding the motorbike, reportedly told the shooter, “It doesn’t matter if the children get hit—shoot,” encouraging the execution of the contract. So far, 12 suspects, including the hired gunman who carried out the murders, have been arrested by the police.
After the triple killings, Ishan Madhusanka escaped to India, via the sea route from the Jaffna region. The Acting Inspector General of Police had alerted Indian authorities about the suspect. He was subsequently arrested in Chennai and deported back to Sri Lanka.
The motive behind the murder reportedly involves a long-standing feud between Kajja and two drug traffickers hiding in Dubai—known as “Backhoe Saman” and “Dubai Lahiru.” Kajja had provided information to the police about drug seizures, which led to enmity between him and the traffickers. Additionally, conflicts over a cannabis smuggling operation had escalated tensions.
The murder is believed to have been carried out under a contract issued by Backhoe Saman. Investigations are being carried out under the supervision of Senior DIG for the Southern Province, Kithsiri Jayalath, and Matara DIG Nishantha Soysa.The suspect was produced before the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Magistrate Navodi Kokohennadi granted police permission to detain and question him for three days. By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randunu.
