Deserter shot dead

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 09 September 1998, 13:44 GMT]
The Sri Lankan Police at Raagama, on the outskirts of Colombo, shot dead an Air Force deserter at around 1.00 a.m this morning.

The deserter, Christopher Perry, was wanted in connection with drug smuggling and contract killings.

He was killed when he tried to get away from his safe house that the Police had surrounded, said sources.

His girl friend, Anusha Kumudhini, 22, was also killed when the Police opened fire on Perry they said.

The Police announced a reward of Rs 100,000 (SL) for information that could help apprehend Christopher Perry.

The Sri Lankan Police in the southern parts of the island have repeatedly blamed the increasing number of deserters from the Sri Lankan security forces for many crimes.

The Police have a long list of deserters wanted for murder and robbery. Most are still at large.

The Police said the deserters pose a major threat because many of them are well trained soldiers who got away with weapons stolen from their units.