Businessman Lalith Wasantha Mendis (61) was shot dead on Saturday (23) night at the Lower Dickson Road in Galle. He was the father-in-law of State Minister D. V. Chanaka.
Four investigation teams are conducting investigations under the direction of Southern Province Senior Deputy Inspector General Sajeewa Medawatta.
SDIG Medawatta said two teams of the Galle Special Crime Investigation Division, a team of the Galle Police and the Galle Division Criminal Investigation Bureau are investigating.
Mendis, a resident of Woodworth Road, Galle, closed his garments store in Galle and was on his way home in his vehicle when two men who followed him on a motorcycle opened fire with a T-56 rifle. Police said 22 T-56 empty ammunition casings were found on the ground at the crime scene. Mendis died on the spot due to gunshot injuries, but local residents took him to the Galle Karapitiya Hospital.
Although the purpose of this murder is not clear, investigation teams have received information that Kosgoda Sujee, a strongman of the underworld who is involved in drug trafficking in Dubai, has led the murder. Police said investigations are being conducted to find out why he committed this murder and to identify and arrest the shooter.
