Mount Lavinia shooting victim mistaken target

Investigations into the shooting incident at Huludagoda road in Mount Lavinia have revealed that the motorcycle repair shop owner had been the intended target and the deceased is just a bystander.

Police identified the deceased as a 40-year-old resident of Ragama.

Police suspect the gunmen arrived with the intention of shooting the owner of the motorcycle repair shop, identified as ‘Sandun.’ According to police, he is believed to be a close associate of an alleged drug trafficker known as 'ID'. Police further stated that the Western Province South Crime Division has previously summoned and questioned Sandun in connection with a recent murder in the area.

According to Police information on the yesterday's incident, the shooting took place around 9.40 p.m. at the motorcycle repair shop. CCTV footage shows two unidentified gunmen arriving on a motorcycle and turning into Huludagoda Lane before heading towards the repair shop.

According to the footage, one suspect got off the motorcycle and entered the garden of the premises. He opened fire with a revolver at a person near the motorcycle repair shop before fleeing the scene on the same motorcycle, police stated.

The victim was taken to the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital with gunshot injuries, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Mount Lavinia Police and the Police Special Task Force launched immediate investigations at the scene last night.

Police brought the owner of the motorcycle repair shop and several others to the Mount Lavinia Police Station to record statements.

The mother of the motorcycle repair shop owner arrived at the scene this morning (16) after attending the Bellanwila Perahera last night, has told the police that the deceased was a friend of her son who frequently visited the premises to use drugs.

Police found a motorcycle believed to belong to the deceased parked at the location.

Investigators also suspect the shooting occurred as an act of retaliation following the recent shooting of an associate of 'Kudu Anju' in Ratmalana.

Further investigations continue under the supervision of Western Province South Deputy Inspector General of Police Samantha Wijesekara and the Mount Lavinia Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau.