Two monks stabbed to death... four suspects in custody

Two Buddhist monks of the Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya were murdered by unidentified gang inside the Rajamaha Viharaya, Kotte yesterday night.

The two monks were identified as Ven.Pitigala Jinasiri thero and Borelasgamuwe Gunarathana thero.

Meanwhile, four suspects were arrested in connection with the double murder  while they were hiding in the area, police said. One monk had died on the spot while the other succumbed to his injuries on the way to Kalubovila Hospital.

The incident shocked the Kotte area and people upon hearing of the incident had rushed to the temple in their hundreds.  There was a tense situation near the temple as a result. Police said grievous injuries had been caused to the two monks who had been residing in the temple for a long time.  The incident had taken place at around 10.00 pm.

According to initial police investigations, the assailant had come in a van, entered the temple premises, committed the crime and fled the scene.

Police inquiries were underway at the time this edition went to press.  The victims have been identified as the Ven.Boralesgamuwe Gunaratane Thera (65) and the Ven. Pitigala Dinasiri Thera (75). The Ven. Dinasiri had been found lying with bleeding wounds inside the washroom.