22 killed in 27 shooting incidents this year

Twenty seven shooting incidents have been reported during the period between January 1 and March 23 (yesterday) this year in which 22 persons have been killed, according to police sources.

The situation seems to be similar or less serious compared to the incidents and deaths taken place in the first three months of last year.  

This year’s shooting incidents have taken place at Weligama, Ahungalla, Devinuwara, Mount Lavinia, Dodangoda, Mannar, Ambalantota, Galle, Kotahena, Minuwangoda, Middeniya, Ja-ela, Gampaha, Weliweriya, Midigama and Ambalangoda among others.  

A total of 30 shooting incidents had been reported in various parts of the country and 21 persons were reported dead between January 1 and March 12 last year, the Police said.   

More than 100 shootings last year left 61 dead and 47 injured. Police attribute the vast majority of 2024’s fatal shootings to clashes between organised crime gangs, as turf wars, mainly over drug trafficking, continue to take a deadly toll.  

Police claim their investigations have determined that 56 of the 103 shooting incidents reported last year were linked to organised crime. A total of 45 people lost their lives.  

The other 47 shooting incidents, where 16 people were killed, were due to different reasons, mainly personal disputes.