Sri Lanka Police have revealed that a dispute linked to drug trafficking is suspected to have been the motive behind a shooting in Trincomalee that killed a Navy serviceman and injured two others.
According to the Police Media Division, preliminary investigations indicate that a dispute arising from a drug trafficking operation may have led to the shooting in the Kappalthurai area of the Uppuweli Police Division on Monday night (02).
Police said an unidentified gunman opened fire at a group travelling in a hired three-wheeler from Trincomalee towards Kappalthurai Junction before fleeing the scene.
At the time of the shooting, one of the two passengers travelling in the rear of the three-wheeler had stepped out of the vehicle to make a telephone call.
The three-wheeler driver sustained fatal gunshot injuries and died at the scene, while two others were injured and admitted to the Trincomalee Hospital.
One of the injured persons was later transferred to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital for further treatment.
The deceased has been identified as a 39-year-old Navy serviceman residing in Trincomalee, while the injured individuals, aged 28 and 38, are residents of Anandakulam.
Police suspect that a T-56 assault rifle was used in the attack.
The Uppuweli Police are conducting further investigations to identify and arrest those responsible for the shooting. (Newswire)