Teenage suspect arrested over Ambalangoda shooting as youth crime concerns grow

Police have arrested a 19-year-old and a 22-year-old over an attempted shooting in Ambalangoda, drawing renewed attention to the involvement of young people in serious crime at a time when thousands of children have also been arrested for drug-related offences.

The two suspects were arrested on Wednesday (24) morning in the Batapola Police area by a team from Meetiyagoda Police.

Police said the suspects, residents of Aluthwala and Meetiyagoda, are believed to have been the gunman and the motorcycle rider involved in the September 21 shooting near Kahawa Junction in Ambalangoda.

According to police, the pair arrived on a motorcycle and allegedly opened fire with a pistol in an attempt to kill another person.

Investigators recovered the pistol allegedly used in the shooting, 10 live rounds of ammunition, the motorcycle and two helmets worn by the suspects.

The arrests come amid growing concern over the involvement of young people in drug-related crime.

Police Spokesman F.U. Wootler recently said 9,105 children had been arrested for drug-related offences since October 30, 2025, under the nationwide “Rata Ekata” anti-drug operation. They included 8,931 boys and 173 girls.

Police also said 175 people died by suicide in 2025 in cases linked to drug addiction, while 11 drug-related deaths have been reported so far this year.

Raids conducted since October 30, 2025, have also led to the seizure of about 2,277.5 kg of heroin, 3,172.1 kg of crystal methamphetamine, 293.9 kg of cocaine and 9,512.3 kg of cannabis, according to police.

The two shooting suspects are due to be handed over to Ambalangoda Police for further investigations.