COLOMBO – Sri Lankan police have recovered the body of a Chinese national who was allegedly abducted from Colombo Port City, and arrested two fellow Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in the incident while they were allegedly attempting to flee the country.
The victim’s body was discovered on Thursday (23) concealed beneath a pile of rocks in a forested area at Karandana, near Eheliyagoda, police said.
According to investigators, three Chinese nationals had travelled to the Colombo Fort-Port City area in a hired van early Thursday to go fishing when they were allegedly attacked by another group of Chinese nationals who arrived in two vehicles.
Police said the assailants allegedly assaulted the three men, abducted one of them and fled the scene, abandoning one of the vehicles used in the incident. Officers later recovered an air pistol from the abandoned vehicle.
Separately, officers from Eheliyagoda Police conducting a raid on an illicit liquor operation in the Gettukade area noticed a suspicious pile of rocks in a nearby forest. During a search of the site, they discovered a body concealed beneath the rocks after spotting part of a human hand protruding from the debris.
The deceased was later identified as the Chinese national reported missing following the alleged abduction at Port City.
The body was transferred to Avissawella Hospital for a post-mortem examination, while investigators also recovered a vehicle believed to have been used to transport the body to the forest.
Police said two Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in the alleged abduction and killing were arrested near Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake while attempting to leave the country.
The suspects have been handed over to Harbour Police for further questioning, while investigations are continuing to identify and arrest other individuals believed to have been involved.
Police said the motive for the incident has not yet been established.
In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka said it was closely monitoring the investigation and called on Sri Lankan authorities to conduct a comprehensive inquiry to establish the facts and bring those responsible to justice.
The embassy also urged Sri Lankan authorities to ensure the safety and lawful rights of Chinese nationals residing in the country and advised Chinese citizens in Sri Lanka to remain vigilant, promptly report emergencies to the police and seek assistance from the embassy when necessary.
-ENCL
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