Feb 2025 triple-murder firearm-supply investigation
Current status of the Feb 2025 triple-murder firearm-supply investigation
A man and his two children were shot dead while travelling on a motorcycle on 18 February 2025. In September 2025, Newsfirst and Hiru News reported that Sampath Manamperi admitted during police questioning to supplying the firearm used in the killings, saying he had acted as a distributor for an organised-crime figure reported as 'Backhoe Saman' and had facilitated the transport of firearms connected to other killings in southern Sri Lanka.
Police separately said several people suspected of aiding the killing were close associates of Sampath. No indictment or conviction of Sampath over the murders has been located.
What’s happened
The reported admission is evidence from an ongoing police investigation, not a judicial finding; this matter is recorded as an investigation, not a charge or prosecution, unless and until an indictment is confirmed.
- Court
- Not publicly confirmed
- Next hearing / due
- No upcoming hearing announced
Sources (3)
Feb 2025 triple-murder firearm-supply investigation timeline
- 30 September 2025
Questioned
Reported by Newsfirst and Hiru News to have admitted, during police questioning, to supplying the firearm used in the 18 Feb 2025 killing of a man and his two children.
Sources (2)