Chinese Embassy urges swift probe after national found dead

The Chinese Embassy in Colombo on Thursday urged Sri Lankan authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged abduction and murder of a Chinese national following a clash at Colombo Port City.

The Embassy said it was closely following the case and had asked Sri Lanka Police to establish the facts as soon as possible while protecting the safety and lawful rights of Chinese citizens.

It also advised Chinese nationals in Sri Lanka to remain vigilant and immediately contact the police and the Embassy in an emergency.

Police found the body of the Chinese national concealed under a pile of rocks in a forested area at Karandana in Eheliyagoda on Thursday.

According to police, three Chinese nationals had travelled to Colombo Port City in a cab early that morning to fish. Another group of Chinese nationals later arrived in two vehicles and attacked them.

The assailants allegedly abducted one of the three men before abandoning a van and fleeing. Police recovered an air pistol from the vehicle.

Officers from the Eheliyagoda Police discovered the body while conducting a raid on an illicit liquor operation in the Gettukade area of Karandana. They inspected a suspicious pile of rocks after noticing part of a human hand protruding from it.

Police later identified the victim as the Chinese national allegedly abducted from Colombo Port City. They transferred the body to Avissawella Hospital for further examination.

Investigators also found a car near the site and suspect that the assailants used it to transport the body.

Police Media Spokesman Assistant Superintendent of Police F.U. Wootler said officers arrested two Chinese nationals near Bandaranaike International Airport while they were allegedly attempting to leave the country.

Police transferred the suspects to the Foreshore Police Station for questioning and are searching for others believed to have been involved.

Investigators have yet to establish the motive behind the clash.