'Manna Ramesh' orchestrated brutal shooting in Awissawella

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police said that the assassination of two men in Gurupasgoda, Ihala Thalduwa in Awissawella was orchestrated by an underworld gangster identified as 'Manna Ramesh'.

Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa told News 1st that 'Manna Ramesh' had already fled the country.  

Armed gunmen opened fire at around 11 PM on Wednesday (20), targeting a group that was traveling in a three-wheeler in Gurupasgoda, Ihala Thalduwa in Awissawella.

Sri Lanka Police said that four men were traveling in a three-wheeler after attending a funeral, and they were targeted by the gunmen.

The injured men were admitted to the Awissawella Hospital, and two of them died upon admission.

All four men were residents of Thalduwa, and the deceased were aged 27 and 36.

Sri Lanka Police said that a T-56 assault rifle had been used to commit the murders.

It is reported that one of the men who was traveling in the three-wheeler had seriously injured an elder sibling of the underworld gangster identified as 'Manna Ramesh' with sharp weapons. 

Sri Lanka Police suspect that the shooting may be the result of a dispute that had broken out between underworld gangster 'Manna Ramesh' and the other party based on the previous incident.

Sri Lanka Police said that another person who was injured is a suspect in the assault of a businessman in Ratnapura several years.

Police investigation is underway to locate and arrest the criminals responsible for the crime.