Investigations have revealed information that the criminal named Moratu Sanjeewa, who was an underworld shooter, was shot dead on August 15 at a temple land in Dickwella by a former commando soldier of the Army based on a contract given by an underworld member, in the Harak Kata’s drug network. A senior police officer stated that these two brothers are residents of Dikwella and that the T-56 weapon and the magazine used in the shooting were found hidden in the forest area behind their house in Dickwella, Udagangoda, Urugamuwa area on the night of the shooting itself, by the Police Special Task Force.
The investigation has revealed further that these two brothers are strongly addicted to drugs. The police said that the commando soldier had left the service about eleven years ago and that he and his brother have been caught by the police on many occasions for thefts and robberies and have been in prison as well.
Police said these two have committed this murder while they were engaged in thefts after leaving jail on bail, about a month ago. Investigations have revealed further that the shooting was carried out according to a contract given by Ruwan, an underworld criminal of Harak Kata’s drug network based in Dubai.
Police said that Moratu Sanjeewa, who was killed, is also an underworld shooter and that he had also been involved in the shooting and killing of a person in front of the Matara Hospital sometime ago.
A high ranked Police officer of the Special Task Force stated that it is not clear whether this shooting was the result of an underworld conflict or a drug-trafficking conflict.
According to investigations, it has been discovered that this person was killed in a pre-planned manner by luring him to the temple for a money transaction.
The police said that the shooter and his brother are currently absconding and investigations are being conducted to arrest them.
The Police Special Task Force stated that the recovered firearm was handed over to Dickwella Police Station.
Further investigations are being conducted on the instructions of Senior DIG Sajeewa Medawatta in charge of the Southern Province and DIG Mahesh Senaratne in charge of the Matara Hambantota Districts.
Police believe that it will be possible to arrest the shooter and his brother soon.
Gayan Kumara Weerasinghe