Police say the failed shooting attempt on a businessman in Katunayake yesterday is suspected to have been orchestrated by underworld figure ‘Heenatiyana Neel’.
Investigations have found that the businessman had been involved in an argument with the underworld figure in the past.
The Police further said that the gunman who had escaped is suspected of being wanted over several murders in the country.
Four Police teams have been deployed to conduct investigations into the incident.
The businessman, who was the target of the shooting, has been identified as a man who loans money in exchange for vehicle registration books.
Speaking to the media, he said the gunmen had arrived on a motorcycle and were welcomed into his house after they had informed him they were in need of money.
“Once they were inside, I closed the main gate and was talking on the phone. When I requested the vehicle registration book, they looked at each other in a suspicious manner. At that time, one gunman tried to attack me, but I managed to fend him off, and during which the other gunman also pulled out a gun. But as I fought off both of them, they ran away and tried to escape. Since the gate was locked, they had to scale the wall and escape, during which one suspect had fallen and broken his leg. Area residents caught him and handed him over to the Police, while the other suspect managed to escape,” he said.
The Police have arrested one gunman involved in the failed shooting, while they had also seized the weapon and motorcycle used in the incident. Investigations are underway to apprehend the escaped suspect. (Newswire)