UN representative condemns the mistaken killing of two children in Dehiwala

Marc-André Franche, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, expressed his deep shock and condolences regarding the tragic incident where two schoolchildren lost their lives in a hand grenade attack on a house located on Sirisangabo Mawatha, Kawdana, Dehiwala.

In a special note posted on his official 'X' account, he pointed out that no child should ever be a victim of such heinous acts of violence. The Resident Coordinator emphasized that all those responsible for this barbaric crime should be immediately brought to justice and punished accordingly, and expressed his profound sorrow to the family, relatives, and friends of the children who passed away prematurely.

This attack, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, was carried out by an unidentified individual who arrived in a three-wheeler and then fled the scene, as recorded by nearby security CCTV cameras.

Although the father and his two sons from the same family, who were severely injured in the attack, were immediately admitted to Kalubowila Hospital, the two brothers, 11-year-old Dumidu Gihan and 17-year-old Kasun Rashmika, who were studying at Dehiwala Shastrananda College, unfortunately passed away. The 55-year-old father, who sustained severe injuries to his legs in the attack, is still hospitalized and receiving treatment.