News
Criminal gangs maybe behind recent shootings to undermine ‘Yukthiya’, say Police
View(s):- Beliatta mass shooting: Wanted criminal behind contract killing, some suspects arrested, police on the hunt for the two gunmen, motive not yet known
- Personal dispute believed to be motive behind Gampaha monk’s killing
- Several other shootings in recent days in different parts of the country
By Sandun Jayawardana and Damith Wickramasekara
Monday’s (23) mass shooting in Beliatta that left five people dead was carried out on a contract given by a wanted criminal based in a West Asian country, police said.
The role of the alleged criminal gang leader was revealed after police on Wednesday tracked down and arrested the driver of the jeep used by the assailants. Investigations have revealed that the 55-year-old suspect, a resident of Bangama, had planned the killings on a contract given by the overseas-based criminal. The suspect has an extensive criminal record, according to police.
Following the arrest of the suspect by the Hakmana Police, officers recovered the jeep used in the killings at a vehicle park at a Pirivena in Galle town. The vehicle had been fitted with fake number plates and a search is ongoing for the owner of the jeep. Police said two gunmen were involved in the shooting and investigations are ongoing to arrest them.
On Thursday, two other suspects aged 25 and 35 years who allegedly aided and abetted the killings were taken into custody in Galle by the Special Task Force (STF). Police have also recovered a motorbike and heroin from their possession. The motorbike is suspected to have been used by the suspects to transport the T56 firearms used in the shooting.
The scene of the crime at Beliatta
A motive is yet to be established for the shootings, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Crime Range and Police Spokesman Nihal Thalduwa told the Sunday Times. “We can’t say for certain yet whether the attack was motivated by revenge, a drug dispute or another reason. Investigations are still ongoing,” he stressed.
At least eight police teams are probing the Beliatta shooting, which occurred on Monday morning next to a restaurant near the Southern Expressway. Four of the victims died on the spot while the fifth died on admission to the Tangalle Hospital. Saman Perera, Leader of the Ape Janabala Pakshaya (Our Power of People Party) was among those killed in the attack.
DIG Thalduwa said several suspects involved in the shooting have been identified and are on the run.
Meanwhile, two suspects have been identified in the fatal shooting of a Buddhist monk at a temple in Gampaha on Tuesday. The monk, Ven. Kalapaluwawe Dhammarathana Thera, died on admission to the Gampaha hospital.
The vehicle used by the assailants was later found abandoned in a wooded area in Godella, Kaduwela. It had been torched and was extensively damaged. A motive for the shooting is suspected to be a personal dispute, police say.
There have been several other shootings in recent days in different parts of the country.
On Wednesday (24), a 26-year-old man was seriously injured when two gunmen shot him inside a house in Jinthupitiya. The motorbike the gunmen had arrived in however, failed to start, and they were forced to abandon it and flee on foot. Area residents gave chase and managed to apprehend one of the suspects and hand him over to police. A pistol used in the shooting was also recovered from the suspect’s possession. He was identified as a resident of Katugasthota, Kandy. Police said the shooting had been the result of a drug dispute. A member of an organised criminal gang had put out a contract on the victim and police said Rs. 400, 000 had been deposited in the account of the arrested suspect to carry out the shooting.
Meanwhile, also on Wednesday, unidentified assailants opened fire at a temple in Dodangaslanda, Kurunegala. The shots had been fired at the window of “Sanghawasa” of the temple’s chief incumbent. However, he was not in the abode at the time of the shooting.
On January 20, two gunmen on a motorbike shot and killed a 24-year-old youth inside a mobile phone and accessories shop in Thelijjawila, Matara. Police said a pistol had been used in the shooting. The suspects remain at large.
DIG Thalduwa acknowledged that there has been an uptick in shooting incidents in recent days though the island-wide “Yukthiya” (Justice) operation is ongoing. He claimed organised criminal gangs may also be motivated to carry out such shootings with the aim of creating shock and anger among the populace to turn public opinion against the operation by making it seem police were powerless to stop violent crime.
“It’s a challenge, but we are up for it. We have redoubled our efforts to ensure there is better coordination between different agencies such as the Criminal Investigation Department, State Intelligence Service, Police Crime Range and the STF among others,” said the DIG. He added that police was also studying tactics used by police forces in other countries to tackle such violent organised criminal groups and would apply those tactics where relevant and with resources available to them.
DIG Thalduwa also urged the public to keep cooperating with law enforcement agencies and use the various hotlines police had set up to phone in tip-offs so that police can track down and arrest suspects involved in such crimes.
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