Kajja's Assassination Was Rs. 500,000/- Contract Hit

COLOMBO (News 1st); The assassination of notorious crime figure Aruna Widanagamage, also known as Meegas-Are' Kajja, has been revealed to be a contract killing worth Rs 500,000. 

According to police reports, Rs 250,000 of the contract amount was deposited into the bank account of the suspect's wife.

The remaining amount was agreed to be paid upon completion of the assassination. However, during interrogations, the suspect revealed that he had not yet received the full payment.

Recap:

Aruna Vidanagamage, also known as Meegas-Are' Kajja, a controversial figure in the south of Sri Lanka was targeted by armed gunmen on 18th February.

He was shot dead along with his six-year-old daughter, and nine-year-old son.

While Aruna Vidanagamage died on the spot, according to reports, his two children died while being treated in hospital.

Aruna Vidanagamage, also known as Meegas-Are' Kajja, was a notorious figure in the Hambantota District, especially in areas such as Medamulana, Tangalle, and Middeniya.

He faced multiple accusations related to crimes such as illegal possession of firearms and extortion and had been remanded several times. Vidanagamage was closely associated with several prominent politicians in the district.

He gained significant attention last year after making controversial statements on a YouTube channel, where he hinted at threats to his life. In one of his statements, he said, "If something happens to my life, all this evidence will come to the media. If you can, kill me. I am not afraid; these people have already wished me Nirvana."

Just a day before his death, Vidanagamage posted a message on his Facebook account, urging people to focus on living happily without worrying about distant death: "Think about the life you have now and live happily without worrying about distant death. There is nothing impossible."

The incident occurred while Vidanagamage and his three children were traveling on a motorcycle.

At around 10 PM on that day, they left his in-laws' residence in Medamuwala, intending to reach their temporary shelter in Thorakolayaya.

En route, he dropped off his eldest son in Gal-Potta-Yaya to purchase dinner for the family.

Vidanagamage and his children were ambushed approximately one kilometer after passing the night hotel where his elder son was sent to fetch food. The attack took place at Kadewatte Junction in Middeniya.

Police have confirmed that a T-56 firearm was used in the shooting.

Despite Vidanagamage's claims of a possible threat to his life on social media, he had not lodged a formal complaint with any police station, said the Police Spokesperson.