Police have recovered a motorcycle believed to be used in a shooting that claimed the life of a 30-year-old man in Payagala. The vehicle was discovered abandoned and burned in a rubber estate hours after the incident.
A fatal shooting in the Payagala area has left authorities investigating what may be a gang-related murder. The victim, identified as a 30-year-old resident, was shot outside a residence on the evening of March 31st and was pronounced dead after being admitted to Nagoda Hospital with critical injuries.
According to police reports, two individuals arrived at the scene on a motorcycle and fired an automatic weapon at the victim. The motorcycle suspected of being used in the shooting was later discovered burning in a rubber estate in the Eladuwa area within the Dodangoda Police division on the morning of April 1st. There is a minor discrepancy between sources regarding the exact location where the vehicle was found—one source identifies it as the Eladuwa area, while another refers to the Aladuwatta area of Dodangoda.
Police believe the victim had connections to organized crime. Ada Derana identified him as the brother-in-law of gang member "Panadura Nilanga," while NewsFirst described him as an associate of the same individual. Investigators are exploring whether the shooting stems from a dispute related to narcotics activities, though the exact motive remains unclear. Authorities have indicated that inquiries are continuing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.