Underworld gunman killed in shootout with STF

Colombo, March 21 (Daily Mirror) - A suspected underworld gunman was killed following a shootout with Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel at Ganemulla last night.

Police said the suspect in question had opened fire at STF personnel who were engaged in searching a house at Sumedha Mawatha in Ganemulla last night, based on intelligence information received.

He was critically injured when police returned fire while the suspect succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at the Ragama Hospital. A member of the STF had also been injured in the shootout. 

Meanwhile, at least 19 individuals directly linked to the underworld have been arrested since Tuesday during the special operation launched under the ‘Yukthiya’ operation. 

In response to a concerning increase in organized criminal activities in the Western and Southern Provinces, a special operation targeting 20 identified organized criminal gangs in the country was launched under the 'Yukthiya' initiative on Tuesday.