It is suspected that the shop owner who was shot to death in Hanwella this week was killed by the underworld over the suspicion he was a Police informant. According to sources, the shop owned by the man was located near a school, and drug dealers operating in the area may have suspected him of providing information to the Police about their activities as well as helping the Police arrest two of their gang members.

According to investigators the order for the shop owner’s shooting had come from two underworld figures identified as Chami and Lalith currently living in Dubai after two of their members were arrested by the Hanewlla Police for robbing the murdered businessman’s home. It is said the arrests had also led to the gang being unable to extort businessmen in the area. It is said the man’s brother had also received a threatening phone call from Dubai following his death.

The 46-year-old father of three was shot in his shop on 18 December by two unidentified men who had arrived on a motorcycle. The shooting victim died on admission to the Padukka Divisional Hospital.