5 killed in shooting in southern Sri Lanka

post-img

Five persons were killed in a shooting incident on January 22 morning in Beliatta in Southern Province of Sri Lanka, police said, Report informs referring to Xinhua.

Police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said the incident occurred near the Beliatta interchange on the Southern Expressway. Four people were killed on the spot, while another died upon admission to the hospital, he said.

The shooting took place around 7:45 a.m. local time (0215 GMT) when an unidentified group, traveling in a vehicle, opened fire at another group in a jeep, he said.

The police suspect that the shooting was carried out by members of organized criminal gangs. Sri Lanka has launched an operation since December 17 to curb drug trafficking and organized criminal activities, with over 40,000 suspects being arrested as of last week.

World