The story of 'Kalu Noni' who was shot dead in Baddegama

A horrific shooting occurred yesterday (27) around 10:15 AM in the Wawulugala area of Baddegama, once again demonstrating to society the brutal and extremely cruel nature of underworld activities in the Southern Province. This armed attack, carried out in broad daylight during a busy time when normal life was ongoing, resulted in the immediate deaths of a woman accused of drug trafficking and the driver of the three-wheeler she was traveling in.

Extensive investigations into this double murder have already been launched by the police and other security forces. A senior police officer involved in anti-underworld operations stated that strong intelligence indicates the shooting was carried out by a contract killer associated with 'Karandeniya Sudda,' who is considered a powerful underworld gang leader currently operating in the South. Police investigations have clearly revealed that the primary and sole target of the criminals was the woman who died in the shooting. In this horrific incident, the woman's mother, who was traveling with her, also sustained serious gunshot wounds and is currently admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle, battling between life and death and receiving treatment. Hospital sources stated that she underwent emergency surgery yesterday.

The victim of this brutal attack was Kuda Vidhanage Susitha Iroshani, also known as 'Kalu Noni,' a resident of Godahena, Ambalangoda. Police have uncovered information that she was a very close associate of 'Loku Patty,' another powerful underworld leader from the South, who is currently detained under strict security at the Welisara Naval Special Prison. Police sources also confirm that the deceased Susitha was directly involved in Loku Patty's drug network and played a major role in it.

On the other hand, the three-wheeler driver who tragically died in this shooting, without any fault of his own, was Lalith Susantha de Silva, a resident of Kuligoda, Ambalangoda. Police specifically emphasize that he was a completely innocent person, never involved in any crime or illegal activity, and with no criminal charges against him. He had served in the Sri Lanka Army for many years for his homeland, legally retired, and was honestly driving a three-wheeler to support his family. The loss of such an innocent life due to an internal underworld conflict has deeply shocked the local residents.

The deceased woman, Susitha, had previously been arrested by the police for a serious drug trafficking offense and remanded for a significant period after being produced in court. Subsequently, a few months ago, the court ordered her release on strict bail conditions. According to these strict bail conditions, she was ordered by the court to report to the Galle District Criminal Investigation Division and sign the police book there on the last Sunday of every month. To fulfill this order, which fell on yesterday, she had hired Lalith Susantha's three-wheeler and traveled to the Galle District Criminal Investigation Division with her mother. The shooting occurred as they were returning home after signing the police book and fulfilling their legal obligation. Police investigations have clearly shown that the criminals had meticulously gathered information about this journey beforehand, monitored their route, and launched this attack in a highly planned manner.

According to eyewitness statements and preliminary investigation reports, armed underworld gunmen, who arrived in a car, suddenly blocked the three-wheeler, preventing it from moving forward. The assassin then instantly got out of the car and mercilessly fired his weapon at the three-wheeler. With this sudden and horrific attack, the woman named Susitha, severely frightened, attempted to jump out of the three-wheeler and flee to save her life. However, the ruthless gunman, intent on completing the crime, chased after her and shot her dead as she ran. Due to the severe gunshot wounds sustained in this manner, both the targeted woman and the innocent three-wheeler driver succumbed to heavy blood loss and died at the scene, without even a chance to be hospitalized.

Coinciding with this murder, another mysterious and tragic situation that has become a major topic of discussion in society has also been reported. This is the rumor that the woman and her mother had a large stock of gold jewelry, worth approximately ten million rupees, with them when they came to sign at the Galle District Criminal Investigation Division. It is said that since no one was at home, they had carried these valuable gold items in a bag for safekeeping from thieves and enemies. According to reports, the bag containing the gold jewelry was in the possession of Susitha's mother, who was shot, and information has been received by the police that the bag and the gold items went missing amidst the chaotic situation after the attack. However, the police have not yet officially confirmed the incident of the missing gold jewelry. A senior police officer stated that although information has been received from various parties regarding this, the truth of this gold jewelry story cannot be accurately revealed until the woman receiving treatment in the Karapitiya Hospital's Intensive Care Unit recovers and a proper statement is recorded from her.

Security forces have confirmed that 'Karandeniye Sudda,' considered the mastermind behind this brutal double murder, is currently safely hiding in Dubai. Despite Interpol issuing red notices against him, information has been confirmed that he continues to operate from abroad, using technology to direct his subordinates to commit serious organized crimes, including homicides, within Sri Lanka. It is suspected that a long-standing power struggle over drug trafficking between Loku Patty's gang and Karandeniya Sudda's gang directly led to this murder. Four special police teams have already been deployed and are conducting extensive investigations to swiftly apprehend the gunman who committed this extremely brutal crime and fled, as well as the driver of the car that provided him transportation. In addition, several teams of Police Special Task Force officers and Police Intelligence Division officers are continuously conducting joint operations and investigations day and night to locate the criminals' hiding places.

Watch the video related to this incident ›