A 19-year-old youth was fatally shot at approximately 6:35 a.m. today (May 5) near the Mt. Lavinia-Coast Road junction. Ada Derana has obtained CCTV footage capturing the moment of the shooting.
According to reports, two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle approached the youth while he was sweeping a side road and opened fire before fleeing the scene. The victim, a municipal council employee, attempted to escape by running toward the main road. However, the suspects pursued him and shot him again, resulting in fatal injuries.
The young man was rushed to the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after admission.
The victim, a resident of Oban Place in Dehiwala, has a known criminal background. He was previously arrested in 2023 on drug-related charges. His mother is currently incarcerated on drug trafficking charges, and he is also believed to be a relative of the notorious drug trafficker Badowita Asanka.
The motive behind the shooting remains unknown at this time. Investigations are ongoing under the supervision of the Deputy Inspector General of Police (South) for the Western Province, Gayanga Marapana.
