Lawyer and wife of ‘Karandeniya Sudda’ shot dead near Army Headquarters

2026-02-13 - 15:49

Two people travelling in a car were shot dead in a shooting that took place at around 5.00 p.m. today (13) in the Akuregoda area of Battaramulla, according to the Thalangama Police. The shooting occurred in front of a luxury retail outlet located close to the Army Headquarters in Akuregoda. Those killed have been identified as attorney-at-law Buddika Mallawarachchi (46), a resident of the Walallawita, Ledola Watta area, and his wife, Nisansala Wellala Arachchi (41). Police say the deceased lawyer had appeared in court on behalf of the criminal known as Karandeniya Sudda. Security forces suspect that the killing was orchestrated by Karandeniya Sudda himself, allegedly because the lawyer had provided details about his client to another criminal known as Loku Patti. The assailants, who arrived in a vehicle, are reported to have carried out the shooting using a T-56 type firearm, firing approximately ten rounds. Police said both victims died inside the vehicle after sustaining gunshot injuries. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the gunmen fled the scene in a silver-coloured Blue Bird type vehicle. No suspects have been arrested so far in connection with the incident, and the motive for the shooting has not yet been established. Several police teams, including three from the Thalangama Police, are conducting investigations into the incident. With this shooting, police further stated that so far this year, seven people have been killed and four others injured in seven separate shooting incidents.