Chief Incumbent of the Kataragama Kirivehera Temple, Venerable Kobawaka Dhamminda Thera has been airlifted to a private hospital in Colombo.

This was done on the instructions of President Maithripala Sirisena.

The Chief Incumbent of the Kataragama Kiriwehera temple and another monk were injured in a shootout that occurred within the temple premises last night (12).

Police suspect a former Kapurala of the temple to be behind the shooting.

Investigations are underway.