Overseas link to Athurugiriya shooting, notorious criminal suspected

Colombo, July 9 (Daily Mirror) - Several police teams are investigating the broad daylight shooting at Oruwala Junction in Athurugiriya, where two persons, including businessman Surendra Wasantha Perera alias 'Club Wasantha,' were killed and four others, including popular singer K. Sujeewa, were injured.

Police suspect the shooting may have been orchestrated by notorious criminal Kanjipani Imran, who reportedly operates from overseas.

It was reported that Kanjipani Imran, a close associate of the late 'Makandure Madush,' planned the shooting targeting Club Wasantha. However, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind the shooting.

CCTV footage captured the shooting and the vehicle used by the suspects.

Police said that two gunmen armed with T56 assault rifles arrived in a car and opened fire on a group attending the opening of a Tattoo Studio on the second floor of a two-storey building in Athurugiriya around 10 a.m. yesterday. Among those present were Club Wasantha, his wife, and K. Sujeewa, along with Sujeewa's two daughters.

More than 30 empty ammunition shells were recovered from the scene, and some of them had the initials "KPI," leading to suspicions that they may be linked to Kanjipani Imran.

The car used in the shooting was found abandoned yesterday afternoon in Korathota, Kaduwela, shortly after the incident. CCTV footage revealed that the gunmen abandoned the car and escaped in a van from the location.

In the shooting, two persons including 55-year-old 'Club Wasantha' were killed, while four others, including singer K. Sujeewa and Club Wasantha's wife, sustained injuries.

The injured were initially admitted to Homagama Hospital, and later singer Sujeewa and another male were transferred to the National Hospital in Colombo for further treatment. Hospital sources at the National Hospital said that Sujeewa sustained serious gunshot wounds to her legs.

Meanwhile, Club Wasantha's wife had also undergone surgery at the Homagama Hospital.