SJB Candidate Killed in Ambalangoda: Police Suspect Revenge for Underworld Feud

AMBALANGODA, SRI LANKA — Further details have been uncovered regarding the shooting death that occurred yesterday morning (04) in front of the main library premises belonging to the Ambalangoda Urban Council.

The victim has been identified as Warushawithana Mirantha, a 54-year-old resident of Poramba, Ambalangoda.

Political and Organized Crime Links

Police confirmed that the victim, Mirantha, was an individual who had contested on the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) list for the Ambalangoda Urban Council at the last local government election.

Furthermore, the Police stated that he was the brother-in-law of an organized criminal figure known as 'Karandeniya Sudda,' who is currently based abroad and in hiding.

Revenge Attack Suspected

Current police investigations suggest that the motive for this murder is an act of revenge for the shooting death of 'Mithiyagoda Nalin' and another person, which occurred at a hotel in Mithiyagoda the day before the last local government election. The 'Karandeniya Sudda' faction had been accused of carrying out the murder of Mithiyagoda Nalin.

Police suspect that the killing of Mirantha, who reportedly was not accused of any previous murder, was carried out by the faction of 'Mithiyagoda Nalin' as retaliation against the 'Karandeniya Sudda' group.

The Police also revealed that they have identified one suspect through CCTV footage, and they are continuing their investigation through four dedicated teams.

Victim's Community Roles

It was also revealed that Warushawithana Mirantha held several prominent community positions, including:

• Chairman of the Ambalangoda Modara Grand Devalaya (Temple) Committee.
• Vice Chairman of the Ambalangoda Fisheries Harbour Management Committee.
• Secretary of the Ambalangoda Rural Fisheries Organisation.
• Secretary of the Ambalangoda Hirewatta Cooperative Fisheries Society.

The post-mortem examination of the deceased is scheduled to take place today (05) at the Balapitiya Hospital morgue. (NewsCenter)