By Police Offer Rs. 1 Million Reward for Information on Wellawa Shooting
The Sri Lanka Police have announced a reward of Rs. 1 million for any information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the fatal shooting incident in the Wellawa and Maraluwawa areas. The Police Media Division assured that the identity of informants would be strictly protected.
The reward will be provided through the Police Reward Fund, following a decision by Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya. Authorities urge the public to share any relevant details via the following contact numbers:
Contact Numbers:
📞 071 – 8591244 – Division Officer in Charge, Kurunegala📞 071 – 8591882 – Police Media Spokesperson
Fatal Shooting in Wellawa
On the night of December 24, 2024, a tragic shooting in Maraluwawa, Wellawa, resulted in the death of 32-year-old businessman Sumith Prasanna and left his wife critically injured. The attack occurred inside their residence when an unidentified gunman opened fire using a T56 firearm.
Prasanna, who owned a solar panel installation business, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Kurunegala Hospital. His wife was rushed for emergency medical treatment. The motive behind the attack remained unclear in the immediate aftermath.
Investigation Unveils Shocking Details
Subsequent investigations led to the identification of suspects. Authorities disclosed that three soldiers were allegedly involved in the murder, reportedly acting on the wife’s instructions and receiving Rs. 2 million as a contract payment. The suspects were arrested by Wellawa Police and remanded by the Kurunegala Court. In response, the Army Commander ordered the Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police to assist civilian law enforcement in a parallel investigation.
Rising Gun Violence in Sri Lanka
The Wellawa shooting is part of a growing wave of gun-related violence in Sri Lanka. In the year leading up to December 2024, 101 shooting incidents resulted in 56 fatalities. Law enforcement agencies attribute many of these attacks to conflicts among drug traffickers and criminal groups.
With the Rs. 1 million reward, police hope to receive credible leads that will bring the perpetrators to justice and curb the increasing trend of violent crimes. Authorities urge the public to cooperate in solving this case to ensure the safety and security of communities across the nation
