Four special police teams have been appointed to investigate a series of underworld clashes and shootings reported in the Mount Lavinia police division over recent days, Hiru News reported on Wednesday.
Several shootings have been recorded in the Dehiwala, Boralesgamuwa and Mount Lavinia areas in the past few days.
Police said the grenade attack on a two-storey house in Ratmalana early on Wednesday is also suspected to be the result of a clash between organised crime groups. The owner of that house is reported to be a close relative of Russell Aloysius Smith, who police allege is an organised crime figure and drug trafficker and who is said to be overseas.
Two grenades were thrown in that attack. One exploded and the second came to rest without detonating. No one was injured, and a window pane on the lower floor was broken.
Police said a long-running conflict exists between alleged drug traffickers known by the aliases “Alto Dharme” and “Kudu Anju” and Smith, and are investigating whether the grenade attack is connected to it.
Separately, police suspect that Tuesday night’s attempt to shoot a bakery owner near the Dahanayake Grounds on Kadawatha Road in Dehiwala was carried out on behalf of an alleged organised crime figure and drug trafficker known as “Sando.” The gunman’s weapon failed to fire and the intended victim wrestled it away.
The bakery owner’s son is reported to be an associate of another alleged organised crime figure known as “Kos Malli,” police said. He is currently in remand custody on charges of drug possession and distribution.
No arrests have been announced in connection with the grenade attack or the bakery shooting. The allegations against the individuals named by police have not been tested in court.
Sources: Hiru News.
