September 28 update: three suspects arrested
Police say three suspects have been arrested in connection with the investigation into the Beddagama double murder.
According to Police-attributed reporting, the suspects are alleged to have aided and abetted the shooting.
Investigators also recovered approximately 16.17 grams of heroin and a car suspected of having been connected to the crime.
The suspects were expected to be produced before the Beddagama Magistrate's Court.
The arrests represent a material development in the investigation but do not establish that the suspects committed the alleged offences.
Any alleged connection between the seized heroin and the shooting must remain attributed to investigators and must not be used to infer a narcotics-related motive unless Police or subsequent court evidence establishes that link.
Police had not publicly established a confirmed motive in the approved reporting.
Two people have been killed and another injured in a shooting in the Halpethota area of the Beddagama Police Division, with Police launching an investigation to identify those responsible.
According to preliminary Police information, the victims were travelling in a three-wheeler on the morning of September 27 when a group travelling in a car opened fire on them before fleeing the area.
Police say a T-56 assault rifle was used in the attack.
Two deaths confirmed
The driver of the three-wheeler died at the scene following the shooting.
Two women travelling in the vehicle were injured.
One of the injured women subsequently died while receiving treatment.
The other injured woman was admitted for hospital treatment.
Police investigation underway
Police have deployed two investigation teams in an effort to identify and apprehend those responsible for the shooting.
At the time of publication, the identities of the suspected attackers had not been officially confirmed.
No sufficiently established motive for the shooting had been announced.
Motive should not be assumed
The circumstances of the attack remain under investigation.
The shooting should therefore not be attributed to organised crime, a personal dispute, narcotics activity or any other motive unless Police or subsequent court proceedings provide evidence supporting such a connection.
Similarly, any future arrests should be described as investigative developments rather than proof of guilt unless determined by a court.