Father killed, son injured in Weligama shooting incident

One person died and another was seriously injured in a shooting incident at Denipitiya in the Weligama police area on Monday night (15). 

The deceased Kamal Chaminda (52), a businessman in the Weligama area hires surfing boards for tourists.

He, with his 20-year-old younger son, was travelling on a motorcycle from Weligama to Akuressa when an unidentified gunman waylaid and shot at them. 

The father died on the spot and the son had sped away, but the gunman had given chase and shot at him causing serious injuries. The injured was admitted to the Matara general hospital.

Investigations revealed that they were on their way to Akuressa in response to a telephone call from an individual.

Judging from the spent cartridges recovered from the scene, police said the suspects had fired 23 shots with a T56 rifle.

A senior police official suspects that it could have been a contract killing of an underworld gang and that three investigation teams were deployed to arrest the suspects. He said the slain businessman had been facing charges of assaults and intimidation.

Weligama police are conducting further investigations on the instructions of SSP Matara Division Pandula Weerasainghe. (Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk)