Organized crime suspected in Moragahahena shooting Victims linked to Ratnapura robbery case

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya
Police suspect that the shooting in Moragahahena where two persons were killed was carried out based on an assassination contract given by an organized criminal named Tanuja Sampath alias Homagama “Handaya” who is reportedly in Dubai.
Two individuals, 50 and 52 years old, residents of Piliyandala and Pannipitiya who were travelling in a three-wheeler were killed in a shooting by a group that arrived in a car at Thalgahawila, Moragahahena yesterday afternoon. The victims died upon admission to the Horana Hospital.
It was reported that the victims were reportedly on bail in an ongoing case related to the robbery of a gold store in Ratnapura.

They were ordered to appear in Ratnapura Police every Sunday under bail conditions and were returning after appearing before the Ratnapura Police when they were shot.   It is also suspected that the gunmen followed the three-wheeler from Ratnapura in the car used for the shooting. Police said the victims died upon admission to the Horana Hospital.
Police suspect a 09mm type firearm was used for the shooting, and fragments of 13 bullets were found at the scene.    After the shooting, the car carrying the shooter went towards Talgahavila and headed towards Padukka.
Further investigations are underway by several police teams over the shooting.