Underworld Feud Escalates: Eighth Killing in Gang War

In a chilling resurgence of violence tied to an ongoing underworld feud, a 19-year-old municipal sanitation worker, identified as Rismi, was brutally gunned down this morning in Galkissa. The incident, which took place around 7:20 AM on St. Sylvester Beach Road, marks the eighth known murder linked to a bitter turf war between two criminal factions centered in Galkissa and Badowita.

According to police reports, Rismi was clearing roadside debris as part of his routine duties when two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle approached and opened fire. Though injured, the young man attempted to flee toward the Galle Road to escape the attackers. Tragically, the gunmen pursued him and fatally shot him again in full view of the public near a bus stop, before fleeing the scene.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the murder was a calculated move in the escalating rivalry between two major gang figures—Badowita Kos Malli and Badowita Asanka, the latter believed to be operating from Dubai. Police have confirmed that the victim, Rismi, was a close relative of Kos Malli, specifically the son of his elder sister’s husband’s niece.

The conflict, believed to stem from narcotics trafficking disputes, has already claimed multiple lives from both sides—often extending to their associates and family members. Authorities note that Rismi himself faced allegations of involvement in drug-related activities and was scheduled to appear in High Court.

Timeline of Related Killings:

September 16, 2024 – Tharindu Suwaris, associate of Badowita Asanka, shot dead.

September 18 – Ananda, another Asanka affiliate, murdered.

September 20 – Anura Costa, relative of Kos Malli’s associate Chuti Samantha, gunned down in Dehiwala.

November 13 – Gayashan Chathuranga, from Asanka’s side, killed.

January 7 – Two of Asanka’s relatives killed in Galkissa.

January 19 – “Sudu”, a 23-year-old woman linked to Kos Malli, shot dead in Galkissa.

Undated – Another killing occurred near Aluthkade Court.

May 5 (Today) – Rismi, the latest victim and relative of Kos Malli, assassinated.

The repeated daylight assassinations in public spaces have raised alarms over the collapse of law and order, prompting widespread concern among residents and civic groups. What was once considered a cooling phase between the rival gangs now appears to be re-igniting, with today’s killing suspected to have been ordered by Asanka’s faction.

Police fear a retaliatory strike may be imminent, given the long-standing underworld code of “an eye for an eye.” Meanwhile, both Kos Malli and Asanka remain high-priority suspects, with the public calling for immediate and decisive action from law enforcement.

The ongoing gang war has already endangered numerous innocent lives, and the brazen nature of these killings underscores a deepening threat to public safety and national security. Citizens and civil rights groups alike urge the government and police to act swiftly to dismantle these criminal networks and bring the perpetrators to justice.