MAWAK OYA MURDER REVEALED

It had been revealed that ‘Batta’ had planned the murder:

The other day it was reported that the murder at Rathmalgoda near Mawak Oya had been done by a group of drunkards. Earlier it was reported that the person who was shot was by an enemy of his who had come to Mawak Oya Rest to have a drink. But now the Police had revealed a different story after investigations. It had revealed that a thug in the underworld had been responsible for the murder.The staff in the rest house had pleaded not to make a noise and fight as there are other guests who had come to relax and enjoy. It was said that one person had got to his vehicle had brought a fire weapon had asked all those present to kneel down and one was shot dead saying that ‘Ha have you also come here to drink and eat’. After he was shot in the head and fell down those who were his associates had got into the vehicle and had fled away.
The real story of the murder was revealed by the Police later on. Jagath was the person who was shot. He had been in the timber business and his workshop was adjoining to his dwelling house. He has had friends not only in “Ilimba’ but also at other places. That was because of the type of business he was involved in. Batta who lived in Ilimba was also a friend of Jagath. He was a stranger to Jagath’s village. He had been a resident of Embilipitiya but had come to Ilimba as he got married to a girl from Ilimba. For the wedding of Batta , Jagath had rendered a lot of help and they had been good friends.
Jagath was somewhat a saint. He was minding his business by looking after his timber business. He did not interfere into others affairs. He always helped those in need. Both Batta and Jagath were always together. Batta had also been involved with activities in Embilipitiya.It was known that Batta had been an associate of underworld gangster ‘Wambotta’, who was subsequently killed. Jagath had unfortunately acquired qualities and habits of Batta.  The name ‘Batta’ had come as he had associated with the gangster’ Wambotta’. Jagath also came to know those friends who associated with Batta. His former friends had continued to keep their friendship with him.
This was disliked by Jagath. This made to have differences between the two. This made two factions to form, one was Jagath’s faction and the other was Batta’s. Their friendship turned into rivalry. They often had confrontations. Although Batta associated with people from all walks of life Jagath did not want to get seconded to Batta. In the meantime a house in the Ilimba area had been burnt by some people not known. In this case Batta took the side of the people whose house was burnt. Batta made a lot of sacrifices for them. It had happened owing to political differences.
On the following day one of Jagath’s brothers had been subjected to an acid attack. After having differences which he could not bear, Batta left the village along with his family to reside in Wadduwa area. However he used to visit Ilimba to see his former friends and his house which was kept closed. Jagath knew that although he left his life was in danger and some sort of harm was anticipated. Hence he purposely avoided roaming in the nights even in his own area.
On the 7th of last month had told his wife that he is going out to some places in search of timber and had come home empty handed. His wife had quipped” where is the timber”. Jagath had told that his plans did not materialise. Then she said you better have your meal. Then Jagath had said he will go to town and bring some provisions and will take my meal after his return. He had gone to town on his motor cycle. There he had met a friend who had wanted him to go the Mawak Oya rest to have drink. They had gone in a three wheeler and as they got off Jagath had seen Batta seated in the garden with some friends and having drinks. Jagath had told his friend ‘let’s go from here’, knowing well that he had face some harm. Jagath’s friend had said we will mind our own business and had sat a little away on two chairs with a table and had ordered drinks.
Then Jagath had noticed that one guy, one of his opponents had got up and gone and opened the door of a car and taken out a fire weapon. What he was going to do Jagath had watched very closely. Jagath had got frightened and run ino the Mawak Oya rest and closed the door. The assailant had knocked at the door. As it did not open he had fired a shot at the lock when it had opened. When the door opened the assailant had shot him on his head. When he stared to bleed he had fired on his chest for him to collapse and die. The assailant had got the staff and the other visitors to kneel down and had got into the car along with the rest and fled away.
The Police had commenced investigations. As they were unable to find clues they had been able to get at the root cause through anonymous calls, they had received. The investigations revealed the culprit was none other than Batta, who had gone into hiding. Afterwards Batta was caught and arrested by the Mirihana Crime Unit. However it was proved that the shooting had been done one of Batta’s friend’s and hence Batta was released on the 4th of last month. Jagath had been killed on the orders of Batta it had revealed during the investigations. The killer was also arrested from the Maharagama area.
A friend had come to Batta’s place in Wadduwa with a T 56 and a revolver. He and another had robbed a sum of Rs 14 lakhs and 20 gold sovereigns from the kirindiwela area.
On the 10 th they had come to Mawak Oya rest to get at Jagath. As it failed they had laid a trap to bring Jagath to Mawak oya rest with the help of another to kill him. This is how this murder had really taken place.
Story: Ajith kumara Athukorale
Photographs: Horana B.k.Kathriarachchi.