Two men were shot dead on Sinhasana Road, near the southern entrance of the Dewundara Sri Vishnu Devalaya, at around 11:45 p.m. last night (21), police said.

According to reports, two unidentified gunmen arrived in a van and opened fire on two youths riding a motorcycle, using a T-56 assault rifle and two 9 mm firearms, before fleeing the scene.

The victims had attended a friend’s birthday party in Kapugampura, Devinuwara. On their way home, their motorcycle was hit from behind by a van, after which the assailants opened fire.

Police recovered 39 T-56 bullet casings, two T-56 live rounds, two 9 mm bullet casings, and two 9 mm live rounds at the scene. A van suspected to have been used by the attackers was later found abandoned and set on fire about 800 meters from the crime scene. Inside the burnt vehicle, police discovered a T-56 magazine and additional bullet casings.

The deceased were identified as Yomesh Nadishan and Pasidu Tharuka, both 28 and residents of Sinhasana Road, Devinuwara.

Matara Additional Magistrate Malan Shiran Jayasuriya conducted the inquest early this morning (22).