Gunmen Open Fire in Kandana: One Dead, Former Minister’s Ex-Secretary Injured

COLOMBO (News 1st);  A fatal shooting incident occurred this morning (3) in Kandana, claiming the life of one man and critically injuring another.

The injured individual has been identified as Sameera Manahara, the former personal secretary to the late Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

The deceased has been named as Upali Kulawardhana, a close associate of Manahara.

The shooting took place around 10:00 a.m. in front of the Kandana public market complex.

According to police reports, two unidentified assailants arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire on a car carrying the two victims.

The attackers used a T-56 assault rifle in the ambush, police confirmed.

Both victims sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the Ragama Teaching Hospital.

Despite emergency medical attention, Upali Kulawardhana, aged 50, succumbed to his injuries shortly after admission.

The incident caused considerable panic at the hospital, with relatives of the victims arriving in distress as news of the shooting spread.

The Colombo North Crimes Investigation Bureau has launched a full-scale investigation into the shooting. Authorities are currently working to identify the gunmen and determine the motive behind the attack.