BREAKING: Five people shot dead near Beliatta Exit of Southern Expressway

Colombo (News 1st) - Five people were shot dead near the Beliatta Exit of the Southern Expressway on Monday morning (22nd), police said.

Four people died immediately, and a fifth succumbed shortly afterward.

Among the victims is the leader of the Apey Janabala Pakshaya (Our People's Party) Saman Perera, who was a businessman cum politician, police said. The group had arrived in a white Land Rover Defender when the shooting took place.

News 1st correspondent said several people who were shot were outside a tea shop near the exit, and others were in the vehicle.