Buddhist monk killed in shooting inside temple

A Buddhist monk has been shot dead inside a temple in the Malwathuhiripitiya area of Gampaha this morning (Jan 23).

Police stated that the shooting has been carried out using a T-56 assault rifle.

Four unidentified individuals who had arrived in a car, had carried out the shooting and fled the scene afterwards, the police said.

The 45-year-old Buddhist monk, Ven. Kalapaluwawe Dhammarathana Thero, who sustained critical injuries in the incident, had been rushed to the Gampaha Hospital. However, the monk had succumbed to injuries this afternoon while receiving treatment at the hospital, according to police.

Malwathuhiripitiya Police is conducting further investigations regarding the incident.