Athurugiriya tattoo shop owner questioned over Rs. 1 Mn deposit from Dubai

Colombo, July 9 (Daily Mirror) - Athurugiriya Police recorded statements from six persons regarding yesterday's shooting incident, which resulted in the deaths of two persons, including 'Club Wasantha'.

Among those who provided statements was the owner of the tattoo shop where the shooting occurred near the Clock Tower in Athurugiriya.

During the investigations, police found that an amount of Rs. 1 million had been credited to the tattoo owner's account from Dubai, and the police suspect the money was deposited to assist in the murder of Club Wasantha. The owner reportedly told the police that his friends in Dubai had credited the money to his account to buy goods for the tattoo shop.

However, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that further investigations will be conducted to determine whether this person received the money for his shop to buy equipment or as an advance for a contract killing.

The shooting happened during the opening ceremony of a tattoo and piercing studio. Six individuals were hospitalised immediately after the incident and 55-year-old businessman Surendra Wasantha Perera, known as 'Club Wasantha' and a 38-year-old male died from their injuries upon admission.

Singer K. Sujeewa, who sustained serious leg injuries in the shooting, is currently receiving treatment at National Hospital in Colombo. Club Wasantha's wife and the tattoo shop owner's wife were also injured.

Police suspect that underworld figure Kanjipani Imran may have orchestrated the shooting. A revolver was recovered from Club Wasantha's bag following the incident.

Meanwhile, police recovered the van which the gunmen had used to escape following the shooting, from the Bulathsinghala area last night.