A close relative of Sri Lankan underworld figure Kanjipani Imran has been shot dead in Maligawatte, Colombo, in the latest firearm-related killing reported in the country.
The shooting took place on Sangharaja Mawatha in Maligawatte on Monday, August 10, according to Sri Lankan police.
Police said two assailants arrived at the scene on a motorcycle and opened fire at the victim before fleeing the area.
The victim sustained serious gunshot injuries in the attack and later succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities identified the deceased as a close relative of Kanjipani Imran, a prominent figure whose name has long been associated with Sri Lanka’s organised criminal underworld.
Police have launched an investigation into the killing and are working to identify and apprehend the two suspects believed to have carried out the shooting.
The motive for the attack has not yet been officially disclosed, and authorities have not confirmed whether the killing was linked to the victim’s relationship with Kanjipani Imran.
The motorcycle shooting bears similarities to a number of targeted attacks reported in Sri Lanka in recent years, where gunmen have used motorcycles to approach victims before quickly fleeing the scene.
Sri Lankan authorities have intensified operations against organised crime and illegal firearms amid concerns over shootings linked to criminal networks.
Kanjipani Imran has been one of the better-known names associated with Sri Lanka’s underworld, and authorities have previously linked him to organised criminal activity. His name has featured prominently in investigations and law enforcement operations targeting organised crime networks.
Investigations into Monday’s killing remain underway, with police seeking to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and identify those responsible.
