By Two people were shot and injured when gunmen attacked a motorcycle spare parts shop in Akarawita, Gampaha yesterday evening. Police believe this is the latest incident in an ongoing rivalry between two local criminal gangs. The shop owner and his assistant are currently receiving medical treatment.
Details of the Shooting Incident
A motorcycle spare parts shop in Akarawita, Gampaha became the scene of violence yesterday when armed men opened fire, injuring two people. The shooting happened around 6:30 PM when the shop was preparing to close for the day.
The injured victims have been identified as:
- Chamara Sandaruwan (42), the owner of the motorcycle spare parts shop
- Asitha Devinda (27), a shop assistant who has worked at the establishment for three years
According to witnesses, two men arrived on a motorcycle, entered the shop, and opened fire without warning. They quickly fled the scene after the shooting. Both victims sustained gunshot wounds to their legs and lower body.
Emergency services responded quickly to the scene. Paramedics provided first aid before transferring the victims to Gampaha District General Hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment.
Medical Condition of the Victims
Dr. Lakshmi Perera, spokesperson for Gampaha District General Hospital, provided an update on the victims’ conditions.
“Both patients are currently in stable condition. Mr. Sandaruwan sustained a gunshot wound to his right thigh, while Mr. Devinda was hit in his lower abdomen and left calf. Neither injury is life-threatening, but both patients will require surgery to remove bullet fragments,” Dr. Perera explained.
Hospital sources confirmed that both men are expected to make a full recovery, though they will likely remain hospitalized for at least a week.
Police Investigation Underway
Gang Rivalry Suspected as Motive
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rohan Dissanayake, who is leading the investigation, confirmed that the shooting appears to be connected to an ongoing rivalry between two criminal gangs operating in the Gampaha area.
“Our preliminary investigation suggests this shooting is related to the long-standing conflict between the ‘Akarawita Boys’ and ‘Maligawatta Crew’ gangs. We believe this was a targeted attack rather than a random act of violence or robbery attempt,” SSP Dissanayake told reporters at a press briefing this morning.
According to police records, this marks the third gang-related shooting in Gampaha District this year. Last month, a similar incident occurred in Yakkala, resulting in one fatality.
Eyewitness Accounts
Nimal Jayasuriya, who owns a grocery store opposite the motorcycle shop, witnessed the incident.
“I was arranging items outside my shop when I heard loud noises that sounded like firecrackers. Then I saw two men running out of Chamara’s shop and speeding away on a motorcycle. They were wearing full-face helmets, so I couldn’t see their faces,” Jayasuriya recalled.
Another witness, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, added, “The men arrived just five minutes before the shooting. They parked their motorcycle directly in front of the shop and went inside. We thought they were customers. Suddenly, we heard gunshots and screaming.”
Background on Local Gang Activity
Rising Gang Violence in Gampaha
The Gampaha District has seen an increase in gang-related activities over the past two years. According to crime statistics released by the Sri Lanka Police Department, gang-related incidents have increased by 27% compared to 2023.
The two gangs believed to be involved in this incident have been engaged in territorial disputes primarily centered around drug trafficking, extortion, and control of local businesses.
Community Concerns
Residents of Akarawita have expressed growing concern about safety in their neighborhood. The local business association plans to meet next week to discuss security measures and potential cooperation with law enforcement.
“This is very disturbing for our peaceful community,” said Sarath Wickramasinghe, president of the Akarawita Business Association. “Many shop owners are now afraid to stay open in the evening hours. We need increased police patrols and better security measures.”
Official Responses
Police Security Measures
In response to the incident, the Gampaha police division has announced increased patrols in the area. SSP Dissanayake outlined the immediate steps being taken.
“We are deploying additional officers to patrol Akarawita and surrounding areas, particularly during evening hours. We have also established a special investigation team focused specifically on gang-related crimes in the district,” he stated.
The police have urged the public to report any suspicious activities and have set up a dedicated hotline for information related to gang activities.
Government Response
Local government officials have also responded to the incident. Gampaha District Secretary Anura Fernando issued a statement expressing concern about the rising violence.
“We are working closely with law enforcement to address these security issues. The safety of our citizens is a top priority, and we will not tolerate this kind of violence in our communities,” the statement read.
Previous Incidents
This shooting appears to be part of a pattern of escalating violence between rival gangs in the region. Two weeks ago, a member of the “Akarawita Boys” gang was attacked near the Gampaha bus terminal, sustaining minor injuries.
Police sources indicate that yesterday’s shooting may have been a retaliatory attack for that incident, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Community Impact
Business Disruption
The shooting has had an immediate impact on local businesses. Several nearby shops closed early today, citing safety concerns.
“I decided to close at 4 PM instead of our usual 8 PM,” said Kamala Rathnayake, who owns a clothing store two buildings away from the motorcycle shop. “My customers are scared to come here now, and I’m worried about my staff’s safety.”
Public Reaction
Local residents have organized a community meeting scheduled for tomorrow evening to discuss the incident and possible preventive measures.
“We need to stand together as a community against this violence,” said community organizer Priyantha Jayawardena. “We will be discussing neighborhood watch programs and better coordination with police.”
Next Steps in the Investigation
SSP Dissanayake confirmed that police are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby establishments and have collected several shell casings from the scene for ballistic analysis.
“We have strong leads in this case and are confident that we will apprehend the suspects soon. We urge anyone with information to come forward,” he said.
The police have not released any details about potential suspects but confirmed they are looking for two men who were seen fleeing the scene on a black motorcycle.
As Chamara Sandaruwan and Asitha Devinda recover in the hospital, the Gampaha community faces growing concerns about gang violence. Authorities have promised swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent further incidents.
The police investigation continues, with updates expected in the coming days. Meanwhile, local businesses and residents remain on high alert as they adjust to the reality of increased security concerns in their once-peaceful neighborhood.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the Gampaha Police Station.
