Operation to trap the Dehiwala, Galkissa, Kalubowila shooter at Samma Kottawa bus stand

The number of people killed in shootings between several parties, centered in areas such as Dehiwala, Mount Lavinia, and Kalubowila, is currently close to ten. These shootings are being carried out due to a drug dispute, and the police state that there is no end in sight to these shootings yet.

Three more shootings were reported from these areas a few days ago, and investigating officers suspect that these shootings occurred due to a dispute between the factions of Badowita Asanka and Samantha. Although several gunmen, riders, and abettors involved in previous shootings between these parties were arrested, the police stated that the retaliatory killings between the factions have not yet stopped.

The latest incidents of shootings between these parties were reported from Dehiwala Vanarathana Road, Kalubowila Bodhiyawatta, and Dehiwala Sea Avenue, and investigations were launched to find the gunmen who carried out these shootings. Accordingly, three shootings were reported in December last year and the first week of January 2026. On 2025-12-06, a person was shot dead with two firearms near the A Quarters playground on Dehiwala Vanarathana Road.

Furthermore, another shooting occurred on 2025.12.30, also reported from the Bodhiyawatta area within the Dehiwala police division. This shooting targeted an individual, and a 16-year-old girl who was near the shooting was injured and admitted to the hospital. Investigating officers stated that the target of the gunmen in both these shootings were close associates of Badowita Asanka, an organized criminal. Investigating officers suspected that the faction opposing Asanka carried out these shootings, and these officers further stated that as a follow-up to these two shootings, a businessman was shot dead in a hotel on Dehiwala Sea Avenue with the dawn of 2026.

However, Dehiwala and Kohuwala police, the Mount Lavinia Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau, and the Western South Crime Division launched investigations into these shootings and homicides. Accordingly, investigating officers were able to apprehend one of the gunmen involved in the shooting and killing of a person on Dehiwala Vanarathana Road. Investigating officers state that he is a person named 'Muttiya'. He was apprehended with a 12-bore shotgun. However, during his interrogation, the other gunman involved in the Vanarathana Road shooting was identified, and it was revealed that the shooting was a result of a conflict between two parties involved in drug trafficking centered in that area.

Meanwhile, during the investigation, the other gunman involved in the Vanarathana Road shooting was identified, but officers were unable to apprehend him. Approximately 24 days after the Vanarathana Road shooting, another shooting occurred in the Kalubowila Bodhiyawatta area. Upon identifying the gunman involved, Police Headquarters released a sketch resembling him to the public for his arrest.

Police Headquarters issued a statement saying that "this suspect named Samara has been identified as the gunman required for the investigation being conducted by the Mount Lavinia Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau regarding the attempt to shoot and kill a 16-year-old girl on December 30 last year on Sri Saranankara Road, Kalubowila, and requested the public to inform the police if they have any information for his arrest." Accordingly, several investigation teams had launched inquiries to apprehend the suspect, and about three weeks after the incident, Police Constable Krishantha (78495) of the Western South Crime Division received a tip-off from an informant regarding this.

"Sir, the 'Samma' you're looking for is coming to the Kottawa bus stand. If he comes, you can catch him." After this information was conveyed to IP Sumith Jayasinghe of that division, IP Basnayake and a Southern team went to Kottawa, and according to the tip-off, officers were able to apprehend the suspect arriving at the bus stop. After a lengthy interrogation of the suspect at the Mirihana unit, officers revealed that the suspect is named Sameera and that he was the gunman in both the Vanarathana Road and Kalubowila Bodhiyawatta shootings.

It was revealed during the investigation that Samantha and Avishka, from the faction opposing Badowita Asanka, orchestrated these two shootings through him. Investigating officers stated that he was a soldier who served in the army. After serving, he later deserted the army, and subsequently, during a general amnesty, he legally left the army. However, after leaving the army, he committed auto rickshaw and other thefts, and investigating officers say that he was arrested for these offenses and remanded. Later, while he was unable to obtain bail for nearly a year, he secured bail with the help of Samantha, who is abroad, and was released.

Investigating officers revealed that during interrogation, the suspect confessed that he got involved in these shootings on Samantha's instructions and received nearly 6 lakhs rupees and drugs as a result of these shootings. Following further interrogation of the suspect, officers were able to recover a 9mm automatic pistol used for the shooting. Furthermore, during interrogation, he stated that he did not shoot the 16-year-old girl at Kalubowila Bodhiyawatta, but rather the target individual pushed the girl at once, causing her to be hit by the bullet, according to investigating officers.

He reportedly stated during interrogation that he came to Dehiwala Vanarathana Road targeting a drug trafficker named Duminda, attempted to shoot him for 2 days without success, but succeeded on the third day. The firearm in the suspect's possession was found hidden in a house in the Dehiwala area. Investigating officers state that the suspect will be produced in court and that he is heavily addicted to drugs.

 (Kirthi Mendis)