Double Killing Near Military Command Raises Security Questions in Sri Lanka
A shocking late afternoon shooting in Akuregoda, Thalangama has left attorney‑at‑law Buddhika Mallawarachchi and his wife dead, raising serious questions about public safety just metres from Sri Lanka’s main defence complex.
The couple were inside their vehicle in the car park of a supermarket when gunmen pulled up and opened fire using what investigators believe was a T‑56 assault rifle. Both victims died on the spot before the attackers fled.
High profile cases
Mallawarachchi, known for appearing in several high‑profile cases at the Colombo High Court, had previously represented individuals linked to organised crime, according to police sources.
Police have deployed multiple investigation teams—including CID, STF, CCD and TID—to track down the suspects, with early leads pointing to an underworld network.
The shooting occurred less than a kilometre from the Defence Headquarters Complex, a location expected to be among the most secure in the country.
Security risk
The timing has intensified public concern. With the India–Pakistan cricket match drawing global attention, heavy tourist inflow, and heightened security elsewhere, many are questioning how such a brazen attack could unfold so close to the nation’s military nerve centre.
Critics argue that Sri Lanka’s intelligence apparatus appears increasingly strained, with a string of recent shootings being quickly labelled as “gang‑related” or “politically tainted” without clear evidence. The broader worry: if assassinations can occur in broad daylight beside a major defence facility during a high‑security international event, what does that say about the country’s overall security posture?
Police investigations are ongoing.
– The News Girl –
