Police suspect that the shooting in Moragahahena, which resulted in the deaths of two individuals, was carried out under an assassination contract issued by an organized criminal known as Tanuja Sampath alias Homagama "Handaya," reportedly located in Dubai.
The victims, aged 50 and 52 and residents of Piliyandala and Pannipitiya, were traveling in a three-wheeler when they were fatally shot by a group from a car at Thalgahawila, Moragahahena, on Sunday afternoon. They succumbed to their injuries upon admission to Horana Hospital.
Reportedly on bail in connection to a Ratnapura gold store robbery, the victims were required to appear at Ratnapura Police every Sunday under bail conditions. They were returning from this appointment when the shooting occurred, with suspicions that the gunmen had followed them from Ratnapura in the car used during the shooting.
Police have identified a 9mm firearm as the weapon used, with 13 bullet fragments recovered from the scene.
Following the shooting, the car carrying the shooter fled towards Talgahavila and then proceeded towards Padukka.
Several police teams are conducting further investigations into the incident.
