Police suspect that the fatal shooting of a 45-year-old man in Ambalangoda last night (14) was carried out due to suspicions that he was informing authorities about illegal activities in the area.

The incident occurred around 6:45 p.m. near a Buddha Shrine (Budu Madura) at Idamthota, Ambalangoda, when two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle opened fire.

The victim, Krishantha Mendis, also known as ‘Podi Sudda,’ was killed in the attack.

According to police, he was a father of four and worked as a hired labourer. Authorities confirmed that he had no criminal record and was known to have lived in the area peacefully.

Investigators suspect the murder was orchestrated by the gang of Saman Priyantha, alias ‘Saman Kolla,’ believing the victim was providing information to the police. Reports indicate that the victim had previously been assaulted by two members of Saman Kolla’s gang in January.

Police also recalled a similar incident on 5 December 2016, when a father, mother, and their four-year-old child were shot dead in the same Idamthota area—also allegedly by members of Saman Kolla’s gang—under suspicion of being police informants.