An unidentified gunman yesterday (04) morning shot dead the Chairman of the Ambalangoda Modara Maha Devalaya Committee Mirantha Varushavithana.
The 54-year-old father of two was shot near the Ambalangoda Urban Council. Sources said the killer came in a car, which knocked down the victim, who was riding a motorcycle.
Although the victim was rushed to the Balapitiya hospital, he succumed to the injuries.
Police said the victim was a relative of a criminal gang leader known as ‘Karandeniye Sudda.’
Since January this year there have been over 100 shooting incidents, resulting in over 53 deaths.
Sources said that the victim had unsuccessfully contested the local government election for the Ambalangoda Urban Council on the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) ticket.
The SJB Chairman of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha was killed in his office a couple of weeks ago.
Meanwhile, the car used by the gang was found abandoned near the Egodawela junction in Karandeniya.