An investigation has been launched following the fatal shooting of a 34-year-old man at a cashew plantation in Wanathawilluwa.
According to police, the incident occurred yesterday. The victim, a resident of Kaladiya, was reportedly at a cashew plantation owned by a private plantation company when the incident took place.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the man had entered the plantation to collect cashew nuts and was confronted by estate security personnel. Police allege that the victim was assaulted and subsequently shot with what is believed to be an air rifle, resulting in his death.
Eight security guards attached to the plantation have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Authorities also seized four air rifles believed to be linked to the case.
The suspects, aged between 19 and 41, are residents of Ettale, Puttalam, Kalpitiya and Anuradhapura.
The corpse of the victim has been placed at the morgue of the Puttalam Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Further investigations are being carried out by the Wanathawilluwa Police.
