Six grenade attacks have been carried out by organized criminal gangs in Sri Lanka so far this year.
Notably, three of these attacks have occurred within the Mount Lavinia Police Division.
Police have recently drawn increased attention to the use of grenades by underworld groups in the Western Province.
There is suspicion that grenades obtained by these groups from the LTTE during the war period are being used in such attacks. Accordingly, police are also considering involving the tri-forces in future efforts to combat organized crime, according to reports.
Meanwhile, two children were killed and their father was injured in a hand grenade attack on a residence in the Sirisangabo Mawatha area of Dehiwala early this morning (11).
The deceased have been identified as 17-year-old Kasun Rashmika and his 11-year-old brother, Duminda Gihan.
Their 55-year-old father, Nalin Thusantha Perera, had sustained injuries to one of his legs in the attack and was hospitalized.
Police said that there is no criminal history or allegation against him.
Police stated that they suspect the hand grenade attack was carried out by an unidentified individual after mistakenly targeting the house.
The incident was reported at around 3.00 a.m. today, when an unidentified individual hurled a hand grenade at a residence in Dehiwala.
According to police, the suspect had knocked on the door of the house and, after the occupants opened it, thrown the grenade inside.
The two children, who were asleep inside the house at the time, sustained critical injuries and later succumbed to their injuries after being admitted to hospital.
Police said that a group of relatives reside in a neighbouring house and that they have been accused of involvement in drug trafficking. Information has also been received that they are close associates of an underworld figure known as “Badowita Asanka”, who is believed to be hiding overseas.
Accordingly, police suspect that the attack may have been carried out after the assailant mistakenly targeted the house of the deceased children instead of the neighbouring house.
Police further said that information has been received indicating that the attack was carried out in retaliation for a grenade attack allegedly carried out by associates of Badowita Asanka on a house in Kalubowila the day before yesterday.
A magisterial inquiry into the incident was conducted at the scene this morning.
Three police teams have launched investigations into the incident.
Meanwhile, the three-wheeler allegedly used in the attack was found abandoned in the Pahala Bope area, police said.
