The 39-year-old victim of the Middeniya shooting was identified as Aruna Vidanagamage, alias ‘Kajja’.
He was reportedly facing extortion and other criminal charges at the time of his death, according to Police.
Vidanagamage was shot and killed on Sunday night (18) when unidentified gunmen opened fire on him while he was traveling on a motorcycle with his two children in Middeniya. The attack took place around 10:15 p.m. near Kadewatta junction, Police spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga said.
He died at the scene, while his 9-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter sustained critical injuries and were admitted to hospitals in Embilipitiya and Tangalle, respectively. The daughter succumbed to her injuries shortly after arriving at Tangalle Hospital. The son, who was being treated at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the National Hospital in Galle, died on Monday, bringing the death toll to three.
The wife of the deceased is reported to be living overseas.
Vidanagamage had previously identified himself as an associate of the Rajapaksa family during a YouTube interview with senior journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama.
In the same interview, he alleged that a larger criminal network was operating in Sri Lanka with the support of authorities and claimed his life was under threat.
State newspaper Dinamina reported that Vidanagamage was alleged to have been in possession of weapons and arrested on various charges by the Tangalle and Matara Police.
The victim was reported to have strong political ties which had been soured with his arrest, according to the newspaper.
In his YouTube interview, Vidanagamage claimed that he had carried out various criminal operations on behalf of the Rajapaksa family’s associates.
He said that a contract had been awarded to an inmate at the Angunukolapelessa prison to kill him, due to certain differences with his former masters, especially after the 2022 unrest period. (Newswire)