Lasantha killing: More arrests likely

More suspects are expected to arrested in connection with the killing of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunga following the recovery of his mobile phone, SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said yesterday.

He said that the breakthrough was made after the arrest of the 22-year-old three-wheeler driver from the Attidiya area, who had the mobile in his possession.

"We are now tracing calls made by the suspect", he said.

SSP Gunasekera said that initial investigations had revealed that the phone had been sold to the suspect by a person identified as an habitual drug addict and IRC who has been in remand custody since January 23.

Both the buyer and the seller of the mobile are Sinhalese, he said declining to divulge more information as it would hamper ongoing investigations.

(By Franklin R. Satyapalan, Island)