Motorcycle Gunmen: A Deadly Pattern in Sri Lanka's Crime Scene

COLOMBO (News 1st): Over the years, organized crime in Sri Lanka has flourished under political protection, with 58 active criminal gangs involved in drug trafficking and extortion. 

According to police reports, approximately 1,400 individuals are directly associated with these gangs.

Conflicts among these criminal groups have escalated, particularly since 2022. 

Numerous assassinations have been reported, carried out by hitmen who operate under the instructions of dons who are in safe havens in countries like Dubai, Italy, and India.

The series of assassinations carried out by motorcycle gunmen began on May 30, 2022, in Pettah's Bastian Mawatha and continued to rise through 2023.

In June 2022, a series of murders occurred, including the brutal killing in Uyankele, Panadura, a same-day murder in Aluthgama as well as in Ahangama, where a young man was shot while traveling in a car.

In 2023, further shootings were reported, including a murder on Heenatigala Road in Unawatuna, Habaraduwa, and another in Siribopura, Hambantota. 

Murders were also reported from the Leslie Ranagala Mawatha in Borella, and close to the Nugaruka Bridge in Weligama.

At the start of 2024, five individuals, including Janabala Party leader Saman Prasanna Perera, were shot dead, highlighting the ongoing gang conflicts.

Police reports indicate that 65 shooting incidents were carried out by organized crime groups in 2023, resulting in 37 deaths.

Despite special programs to curb these activities, 56 shootings were reported in 2024, with 46 fatalities. 

Since January 1st, 2025, there have been 11 shooting incidents, resulting in 15 deaths.