Murder of 4 in Tangalle ... result of clash for power in business -- Suspicion that contract was Madush's

Murder of 4 in Tangalle ... result of clash for power in business --

Suspicion that contract was Madush's

4 persons died while 8 were wounded in the shooting incident which took place last morning (25) at fisheries harbour in Kudawella, Tangalle. It was an attack launched targetting sons of Mahinda, the latter of whom was holding sway in the fishing trade at this fisheries harbour, it was reported. 

Among the dead were Mahinda's eldest son Latheesh Udayakumara (37) alias 'Rana' who had been the assailant's main target while the other two of the three who died were Sameera and Thiwanka,
associates of 'Rana'. However, because of this unexpected shooting incident, a customer who had come there to buy fish too died in the process and he happens to be one Sandun Chanaka Gamage of Delgoda serving in the parliamentary staff. 

It has been revealed that the reason for this murder was a tit-for-tat launched for sometime by another fish dealer who had been competing with Mahinda. Mahinda who has been engaged in the fish trade for a period of about 15 years in Tangalle Kudawella fisheries harbour has 21 trawlers to his credit and is supposed to dominate the authority in the field concerned. As he is now of age, the business is being carried on by his three sons, it is understood.

The attack concerned was launched at the time a stock of fish brought in the trawler "Kalan" was being marketed. When Mahinda's eldest son 'Rana' had been selling stocks of fish brought in the said boat with his accomplices to small-scale businessmen when two unknown individuals have entered the fisheries harbour on a motor bike. These two who were wearing helmets with their faces covered had barged into the spot where the 'Kalana' boat was parked and had opened fire right round with a T 56 weapon and a 9 mm. pistol. When the shooting was in action, businessmen in the fisheries harbour and customers who had come there to buy fish were seen scampering all over the place. 

The two armed killers who barged in around in the morning around 7.30 ae suspected to be hired killers used on a contract basis by Makandure Madush. The nearest reason for this type of contract launched is suspected to be a clue provided by 'Rana' to policea few days before this after which a person from Dikwella was apprehended with heroin in his possession and the latter being a close friend of the opposing businessman of 'Rana'.

These two factions had been involved in a tit-for-tat game from about a period of 15 years. A brother of Mahinda too was killed by being shot sometime back while a certain person of the other party had been rendered a permanent invalid from an attack of 'Rana'. This fishing-trade dominance which was mixed with hatred and underworld action  had in fact been at the background of these conflicts. 

Four police teams have been deployed to investigate the incident concerned. Apart from this, a special team of the Colombo Crime Division has been sent to Tangalle under instructions of inspector general of police to apprehend the murderers. However, police have so far not been able to nab these killers and information has been received to the effect the the two killers who fled on a motor bike has got on to another motor vehicle and resumed their journey. 

In the meantime the police had fired at a van which had passed a road barrier non-stop at Kudawella junction around 1.30 early morning today (26); but had managed to flee by getting caught to police. An inquiry into that vehicle too is underway. Police have begun to conduct investigations to identify the killers from scenes of CCTV cameras fixed at the location where the murders took place.