Mt. Lavinia Double Murder Result Of Gang War

COLOMBO (News 1st); An early morning shooting on Watarappala Road in Mount Lavinia resulted in the deaths of two men. 

Police reported that one person died at the scene, while the other succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. The shooting was carried out by two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle.

The incident occurred around 4:45 AM near a house on Watarappala Road. The assailants used a 9mm pistol before fleeing the scene. 

One of the victims, 36-year-old Sudath Gomes, was found dead at the scene. Another victim, 21-year-old Chanuka Vimukthi, was admitted to Kalubowila Teaching Hospital but later died from his injuries.

Magistrate A.D. Chathurika Silva visited the scene this morning to conduct an investigation. 

Initial police investigations revealed that the shooting was a result of an ongoing conflict between two organized crime figures known as "Badowita Asanka" and "Kos Malli," who are currently believed to be in Dubai.

The two men killed were associates of "Badowita Asanka."

The police have identified the suspects involved in the shooting and have launched a special operation to apprehend them. 

This conflict has led to several shootings in the past, resulting in the deaths of six individuals.

This incident marks the second shooting reported in the first seven days of this year.

The first shooting occurred on January 4th in the Walliwela area in Weligama, where 26-year-old father Akash Tharuka was killed.

On January 1st, a group returning from the funeral of an inmate who died in the Matara Prison was attacked by unidentified assailants on three motorcycles. The shooting resulted in the death of 26-year-old Akash Tharuka, a father of one. 

His wife, in tears, recounted the tragic event: "I told him to come home. He said he was on his way. Then we got the call saying he had been shot and killed. When we arrived, he was lying there, struggling to breathe. Now, my daughter and I are alone. We have no one left. Please, give us justice."

During a press briefing on Cabinet decisions, journalists questioned the government about the ongoing violence. Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa addressed the issue, stating, "We need to clarify to the public what is happening. These incidents are related to organized crime. It's not just about gang activities; it's also connected to drug trafficking and money laundering. This is a network. The security forces are already taking action, with intelligence units involved. As I mentioned in previous press briefings, we are not looking for quick fixes. We are working on long-term solutions. The President and the Minister of Public Security have given directives to the relevant departments. I believe you will see results."