Lankan found dead in US

23 March 2011 03:43 am - 2 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Montgomery County Police are investigating two homicides that could be the work of the same person. Both victims were shot to death in Olney less than a week. The first victim was an 81-year-old man who was found shot in a home last Friday. The second happened Monday afternoon on North High Street.

If the murders are linked, it's not an obvious connection, except that both men died of gunshot wounds. Lab tests are underway to see if the ballistics match, but there are no results yet.

The man who was shot on N. High Street was a recent immigrant from Sri Lanka, whose family says he was a quiet person with no problems or enemies.

Cyril Rajapakse says he was working in his garden when he heard the gunshots that killed his nephew, 41-year-old Punyasara Gedara.

"I ran over and I just recognized that it's him because I know his jacket," said Rajapakse. "He was alive at that moment. He was."

But Gedara later died at a local hospital. Now the hunt is on for his killer, and neither police nor his uncle have a motive.

"He doesn't have any enemies," said Rajapakse. "I can't believe it because he doesn't go anywhere without us. Only to work."

Gedara started working at a Subway in Olney last week. In fact, he was walking home from work Monday afternoon when he was shot.

"It's really hard at this time. Everybody's shocked. We're shocked," said Rajapakse.

Six months ago, Gedara's family was shocked for an entirely different reason. Gedara had won the green card lottery and was moving to the United States from Sri Lanka.

"He just came to start a new life," said Rajapakse. "He's a very nice guy. He never drank, no smoking, nothing. He's really calm. He's not going to argue with anybody."

Police say they do not have a description of the suspect, but they do have a description of the getaway car. It is described as an older-model beige Toyota Camry. It was last seen on North High Street traveling toward Georgia Avenue.

"If anybody knows anything about this situation, please let us know," pleads Rajapakse. "He's gone but we have to find what happened to him."

Tuesday police announced they will look into the possibility that this murder is linked to the death of an 81-year-old Olney man in his home. Gedara's family says they know of no links between the two victims.

olney.wusa9

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 2

Jasper Wednesday, 23 March 2011 09:27 AM

How very sad! Look what happenned to man who move to the US to start a new life! Hope the killer will be brought to justice.

relatives Thursday, 24 March 2011 01:27 PM

pls, if any one can give their contacts details,he is my uncle,they is no way 2 contact his family?plsss

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Lankan found dead in US

Comments - 2

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

April 15 declared a government holiday

New Visa procedure implemented

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

MIRROR CRICKET

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

Amir, Wasim return to Pakistan national team

TODAY'S HEADLINES

100 Police personnel trained to target criminals operating on motorbikes

Catholic Church receives full report

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali’s possession of Gota’s Range Rover

We are struggling with severe shortage of staff – Excise Chief

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Security raised for Champions League ties after threat

SLA target four events at Paris Olympic Games

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win