CID Takes Over Kotahena Investigation
The police Criminal Investigations Division (CID) has taken over the investigations into the shooting incident in Kotahena on Friday, in which a supporter of Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake was killed and several others injured. The UNP claims that the shooting of Karunanayake’s supporters was directly targeted at the party’s election campaign.
Karunanayake said the shooting was a breach of democratic principles and was an action of bankrupt opposition politicians. According to the Minister, the incident had taken place in the wake of several incidents that had taken place in the past 10 days showing what happened during the days of the Rajapaksa regime. Police spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekera said the police are attempting to verify if the incident involved two underworld figures.
A vehicle, believed to have been used in the shooting, was discovered abandoned on Friday and statements were recorded from several eyewitnesses. The shooting incident took place near the St. Benedict grounds at Bloemendhal Road in Kotahena. Meanwhile, the CMEV election monitoring group said that 500 individuals were present when the incident took place. The victim was identified as Ms. S. Maheema of Madampitiya, Colombo 15, a UNP supporter. The attack had lasted for 10 minutes and the perpetrators were reportedly clad in black and had arrived in two black hybrid cars without number plates.
Furthermore, 16 bullet casings had been found at the location, according to police sources. (ER)
