Police fire tear gas due tense situation in Kahawatta

Police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd due a tense situation in Kahawatta, following the funeral of the youth who was shot dead on 30 June, police said.

The funeral of the 22-year-old from Kahawatta, who was reportedly murdered for providing information to police regarding a drug trafficking operation, was held this afternoon (03) at the family burial ground.

Following the funeral, tensions arose between police personnel and local residents.

This occurred in the backdrop of approximately 150 police officers being deployed to ensure the security of the village.

During the incident, relatives of the deceased and other villagers pelted stones at police personnel.

Due to the attack, police withdrew from the area, but later deployed reinforcements and used tear gas to defuse the situation.

Several villagers were injured as a result of the tear gas, according to Ada Derana reporter.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that a group of individuals set fire to a three-wheeler belonging to the suspect accused of the murder.

The incident took place on June 30 in Palansuriyagama, Kahawatta when two brothers and another young man were having a conversation at a house at night.

At that time, a group posing as police officers abducted two of the young men and later shot one of them dead.

The other abducted youth was hospitalised with gunshot injuries.