Suspected to be an act of revenge for the killing of Ape Janabala Pakshaya leader 

• Earlier on January 22, five individuals, including Saman Perera, were gunned down near the Beliatta interchange

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

Notorious gangster ‘Kosgoda Sujee’s cousin identified as  ‘Pachcha Manju’ was shot dead near a hotel in Ahungalla yesterday  suspected to be an act of revenge for the killing of leader of the ‘Ape  Janabala Pakshaya’ Saman Perera alias ‘Royal Beach Saman’.   

Police said two men arrived on a scooter-type motorcycle opened fire at the victim and fled.   

They said the 45-year-old victim died at the scene of the shooting.   

On January 22 this year, five persons including Saman  Perera were killed in a shooting incident near the Beliatta interchange  of the Southern Expressway.   

Investigations revealed that the shooting was a result of  conflicts between major organized criminals and drug trafficker ‘Kosgoda  Sujee’ and ‘Ape Jana Bala’ Party leader Saman Perera over drug  trafficking and the killing of Sujee’s uncle and brother in 2004.   Police suspect that yesterday’s Ahungalla shooting was a result of revenge for the killing of Royal Beach Saman.