More than 80 shooting incidents have been reported across the country this year up to last Tuesday, resulting in 44 deaths.
At least five shooting incidents and attempted shootings were recorded this week alone. Among them, the killing of a former Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha member has been identified as the most serious case.
The newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP), Priyantha Weerasuriya, has pledged to intensify operations against criminal groups and step up efforts to seize illegal firearms.
According to available data, the number of shooting incidents reported so far this year has already surpassed the total incidents reported throughout the previous year.
