Two Men Shot Dead in Devinuwara

Two men were shot dead near the southern entrance of the Devundara Sri Vishnu Devalaya on Sinhasana Road around 11:45 p.m. yesterday (21), police reported.

According to police, the victims, identified as Yomesh Nadishan and Pasidu Tharuka, both 28 and residents of Sinhasana Road, Devinuwara, were attacked by two unidentified gunmen who arrived in a van and opened fire using a T-56 assault rifle and two 9 mm firearms.

Police stated that the victims had attended a birthday party at Kapugampura and were on their way home when their motorcycle was struck from behind by a van, after which the attackers opened fire.

At the scene, police recovered 39 T-56 bullet casings, two T-56 live rounds, two 9 mm bullet casings, and two 9 mm live rounds. A van believed to have been used by the gunmen was found abandoned and set on fire around 800 meters away from the crime scene. Inside the burnt vehicle, police discovered a T-56 magazine and additional bullet casings.

The inquest was conducted by Matara Additional Magistrate Malan Shiran Jayasuriya in the early hours of today (22). Investigations are ongoing.