A 49-year-old restaurant owner has been shot dead in the Soyzapura area of Moratuwa, while a woman who was visiting the establishment to purchase food was injured in the same shooting.
Police said the attack took place at approximately 8:30 p.m. on October 20, when an unidentified gunman opened fire on the restaurant owner using a T-56 assault rifle.
The victim has been identified as Lasantha Kumara, who reportedly died inside his restaurant after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.
According to police, the victim had been receiving death threats from a criminal gang for some time before the attack.
Gunman flees after shooting
Initial investigations indicate that the gunman arrived at the restaurant in a car and fled in the same vehicle immediately after the shooting.
However, while travelling through the Suwarapola area of Piliyandala, the vehicle reportedly developed a mechanical problem.
Police said the gunman then got out of the car and fired shots into the air to intimidate a motorcyclist.
The suspect allegedly seized the motorcycle and escaped from the area along with the driver of the car.
Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the escape and attempting to identify those involved in the shooting.
Woman injured in attack
In addition to the restaurant owner's death, a woman who had visited the establishment to purchase food sustained gunshot injuries.
The report did not provide further details about her condition or the extent of her injuries.
Police have not disclosed whether the woman was deliberately targeted or injured during the attack on the restaurant owner.
Restaurant previously targeted in 2020
Investigators are also examining the restaurant's history of violent incidents.
According to the report, the same establishment was attacked by unidentified individuals on May 19, 2020.
Nine days later, on May 29, 2020, an unidentified gunman reportedly opened fire on the restaurant.
Allegations concerning those earlier incidents have been linked to individuals associated with the criminal groups of Alto Dharme and Kudu Anju.
The report states that Alto Dharme is currently in the custody of security authorities in Dubai, while Kudu Anju has been associated with criminal activities allegedly directed from France.
However, police have not established who was responsible for the latest killing, and no connection between the October 20 shooting and the earlier incidents has been confirmed.
Abandoned motorcycle recovered in Kottawa
Meanwhile, police recovered the motorcycle allegedly used by the gunman and his accomplice during their escape.
The motorcycle was found abandoned in the Siddamulla area of Kottawa on the night of the shooting.
Investigators are expected to examine the recovered vehicle as part of efforts to trace the suspects and reconstruct their movements following the attack.
Several police teams investigating
Multiple police teams have been deployed to investigate the murder under the direction of Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Sajeeva Medawatte, who oversees the Western Province.
The investigation is focused on identifying the gunman, the getaway driver and any other individuals who may have been involved.
Police are also examining the reported death threats against the restaurant owner and whether they are connected to the killing.
The motive behind the shooting and the identities of those responsible have not yet been established.
