Suspected extortionists arrested

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 07 July 1999, 10:16 GMT]
Five people, said to be members of a criminal gang were arrested today by the Mount Lavinia Police at Dehiwala, a suburb of Colombo, the police said. The criminals were carrying 4 pistols when they were arrested.

The five are suspected to have been involved in the extortion of Rs. 500,000 from a Tamil trader in Wellawatta, Colombo 4 months ago, said sources.

Deserters from the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) are also thought to be involved in the crime, which is still being investigated, the sources added.

Meanwhile a Sinhalese youth, 19, was killed when a grenade exploded in Athidiya, Yasotharapura, last night. Sources said the youth might have been carrying the grenade when it accidentally exploded.