Two brothers killed in Dehiwala grenade attack laid to rest

The final rites of two brothers who were killed in a grenade attack on a house along Sirisangabo Mawatha in Dehiwala, were held at the Mount Lavinia Public Cemetery this evening (14).

The grenade attack was carried out by an unidentified individual at around 3 a.m. on September 11, police said.

CCTV footage has revealed that the suspect arrived at the house in a three-wheeler, knocked on the door and threw a grenade inside after the occupants opened the door.

The victims were identified as a 17-year-old boy and his 11-year-old brother.

They were critically injured in the attack and later succumbed to their injuries after being admitted to the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital.

Their 55-year-old father also sustained injuries to one of his legs in the attack and is currently receiving treatment at the hospital. Police have confirmed that there are no criminal allegations against him.

Initial investigations by police indicate that the grenade attack may have been carried out mistakenly.

Police suspect that the assailants had intended to target the home of the brother of a person receiving treatment at the Kalubowila Hospital, but mistakenly targeted the wrong house after the intended target had moved to a different residence.

The three-wheeler believed to have been used in the attack was later found abandoned in the Ihala Bope area.

A magisterial inquiry into the incident has been conducted.

Police have so far arrested two suspects in connection with the incident.

Further investigations are underway under three police teams to apprehend those responsible.