Maligakanda Shooting: Gunmen targeted a man who faces multiple criminal charges

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police said that the man who was injured in a shooting that took place close to the Maligakanda Magistrate's Court on Sunday (17) faced multiple criminal charges, including murder.

A six-year-old girl, the daughter of the injured man, died after two motorcycle gunmen opened fire.

The shooting took place, when the six-year-old girl's father, Akila Buddhika was returning home after posting bail for a criminal charge.

According to reports, the man - Akila Buddhika -, his wife, daughter, and several other relatives were leaving court in a three-wheeler when two-armed motorcycle gunmen approached their vehicle and opened fire.

"We exited the court, and we did not even reach 100m, two men opened fire. We were not aware that the child had been hit. We took both Akila and the child to the hospital. Sadly, the child passed away. Six or seven bullets were fired, and Akila was hit in the chest and shoulder. We did not know that the small child was also hit," said a witness.

After this shooting, the two-armed motorcycle gunmen chased after two other men, and attempted to open fire at them before fleeing the scene.

Sri Lanka Police said that the injured Akila Buddhika was arrested for possession of ICE on the 16th of September, and was produced to the Maligakanda Magistrate's Court on Sunday (15), where he was granted bail.

"This person faces charges for abduction and rape in 2013. In 2018, and several other years, he was arrested for heroin possession. He was also arrested for firearm possession, theft, and assault. He is also one of the six people arrested for hacking to death a man on the streets of Kotahena, on the 28th of November 2022. We believe this shooting is somewhat linked to these crimes," said Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa.