Wrong Address in Underworld Hit Kills Two | Neighbours Awakened by a Father's Agony

COLOMBO (News 1st): The heartbreaking cries of a devastated father shattered the silence of the early morning hours in Dehiwala, drawing shocked neighbors from their homes, only to discover an unimaginable tragedy. Two innocent children had been killed in a grenade attack that police now say was carried out on the wrong house.

The attack took place at around 3.20 a.m. on Friday (11) at a residence on Sirisangabo Mawatha in Dehiwala.

According to police, a group of unidentified individuals arrived at the house and knocked on the door. After the occupants opened the door, the suspects allegedly launched a hand grenade attack before fleeing the scene.

The explosion claimed the lives of two children aged 11 and 17. Their 55-year-old father sustained injuries and was rushed to hospital. He is currently receiving treatment at the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital.

A grieving neighbor described the harrowing moments that followed the blast, saying residents rushed to the scene after hearing the father's desperate cries for help.

"We ran to the house after hearing him screaming and crying. When we asked what had happened, we were told that Nalin's two children had died. It was around 3.20 or 3.30 in the morning. He is a very innocent man who drives a three-wheeler around this area. He never causes trouble for anyone. Those two children were also very innocent. That family struggled every day just to make ends meet," the neighbor said.

Police investigations have since revealed that the attackers may have struck the wrong target.

Police Spokesman Assistant Superintendent of Police F.U. Wootler stated that investigators believe the intended target was the residence of an individual allegedly involved in narcotics distribution and linked to organized crime figure "Badovita Asanka."

However, the attackers had mistakenly carried out the grenade attack on an adjacent house, resulting in the deaths of two innocent children and injuries to their father.

According to the Police Spokesman, the attack is believed to be linked to an ongoing underworld conflict between factions associated with Badovita Asanka and a rival group led by "Kos Malli."