The prime suspect in the killing of a Buddhist monk and another person at the Thambiligala Temple in Gampola in the early hours on Wednesday was a soldier, the police said.

Four special police teams have been deployed to arrest the suspect on the instructions of SSP Gampola, Roshan Fernando. Investigations have revealed that the suspect lobbed hand grenades.

Police said that some supporters of the UPFA returning home were confronted by a group of UNF supporters and the Buddhist monk had intervened in a bid to prevent a clash when the suspect threw hand grenades.

The deceased were identified as Ven. Matara Wima lananda Thero and Vasantha Kumara.