A 54-year-old businessman with no criminal history was shot and killed in Maligawatte, with police investigating possible links to organized crime gangs.
A businessman was fatally shot on Sangaraja Mawatha in Maligawatte on Monday in what police suspect may be connected to conflict between criminal organizations. The victim, identified as Mohamed Asmi Mohideen, 54, from Kirulapone, was standing near a hardware shop when an assailant fired three shots from a .38-type revolver before escaping on a motorcycle.
According to police spokesman Assistant Superintendent of Police F.U. Wootler, preliminary investigations indicate the victim had no criminal record. However, police say the deceased was related to underworld figure Kanchipani Imran, suggesting possible connections to organized criminal networks despite his clean legal history.
The Western Province North Crimes Division and Kotahena Police have jointly launched investigations into the shooting. Police are treating the killing as potentially motivated by gang-related disputes, though inquiries remain ongoing to establish the precise circumstances and identify the shooter. Authorities have not yet made any arrests in connection with the incident.
