A police probe has revealed that a hand grenade attack in Dehiwala early this morning (11) was aimed at a different residence, but the attackers mistakenly targeted the wrong house, killing two children and injuring their father.
The attack occurred at around 3:20 a.m. on Sirisangabo Mawatha, Dehiwala, according to Police Media Spokesperson Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) F.U. Wootler.
The victims were two children aged 11 and 17, who died in the attack. Their 55-year-old father was injured and is currently receiving treatment at Kalubowila Teaching Hospital.
According to preliminary investigations, the attackers had allegedly intended to target a neighbouring house linked to a drug distributor associated with organized-crime figure “Badowita Asanka.” However, the grenade was mistakenly thrown at the adjacent residence.
Police believe the attack is linked to an ongoing clash between rival organized-crime groups associated with “Badowita Asanka” and “Kos Malli.” Investigators are treating the incident as a possible retaliatory attack arising from the dispute between the two factions.
The latest incident comes amid continuing concerns over grenade attacks and organized-crime violence, with police intensifying efforts to identify those behind such attacks and prevent further violence.
The Dehiwala incident has also highlighted the growing danger posed to innocent civilians when attacks connected to underworld disputes are carried out in residential areas. In this case, the alleged mistake in identifying the target resulted in the deaths of two children who were not connected to the dispute.
Police have launched investigations to trace the suspects and determine the full circumstances surrounding the attack. Investigators are also examining the alleged links between the intended target, the rival criminal groups and the motive behind the attack.
