At least six specialized police teams have been mobilized to investigate a tragic shooting incident in Beliatta, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, including Saman Perera, leader of the 'Ape Jana Bala Party.' The incident occurred this morning near the Beliatta-Kahawatta entrance on the Southern Expressway at around 8:00 am. The victims, en route to a court appearance in Tangalle, were traveling in a Defender jeep when a group in another jeep allegedly opened fire.
Police Media Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Southern Province has appointed six teams for the investigation. These teams include the Southern Province Crime Division, Tangalle Division Criminal Investigation Division, a separate team under Tangalle HQI, and the Beliatta Police.
There are suspicions that the underworld gang led by Kosgoda Sujee may have orchestrated the shooting in retaliation for a previous murder in Tangalle. The gunmen, armed with a T56 assault rifle, targeted the victims while the Defender jeep was stopped near a shop. Four individuals, including Saman Perera, were killed at the scene, and another succumbed to injuries upon admission to the hospital.
The police spokesman said that the Defender jeep had entered the Southern Expressway at Kurundugahahetekma and was traveling toward Tangalle after exiting at the Beliatta exit. At least 36 bullet casings were recovered at the crime scene.
The other victims in the shooting have been identified as Hasitha Ranasinghe, Sameera Madhushanka, Buddhika Rajapaksa, and Dematagoda Champriya Jayathilaka.
