A drug dealer has been shot dead by police during a shootout at Gampaha, the Police Spokesman SSP Jaliya Senaratne said.

He was reportedly gunned down during a confrontation with officers of Malwathu Hiripitiya Police, which resulted in a shootout this morning (26).

Acting on a tip-off, the police officers had set up an instant roadblock in the area of Malwathu Hiripitiya in Puwakpitiya and signalled a motorcyclist to stop. However, the driver had sped up, disregarding the orders.

He had then fired gunshots at the police officers who were giving chase to the speeding vehicle.

The suspect sustained gunshot wounds when the police officers opened fire in retaliation, according to reports.

However, he succumbed to injuries at around 5.50 am after being admitted to the Malwathu Hiripitiya Hospital.

The suspect, Rankoth Pedige Sanjeewa Sampath who goes by the alias ‘Ketawala Pitige Sampath’, is a 25-year-old residing in Meewitiya, Ellakkala.

The suspect, who is a close associate of the gangster alias ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’, had worked as a gunman for criminal gangs.

It was also revealed that he was convicted of shooting a 35-year-old woman to death in Ranmuthugama area in Kadawatha on August 28, 2018.

The foreign-manufactured revolver used by the deceased to open fire at the police officers has been seized.

Colombo-North Crimes Division and Malwathu Hiripitiya Police are probing the incident further.