In Sri Lanka, seven persons including a notorious criminal and two prison officials were killed today morning in gunfire at Kalutara, 40 kilometers south of capital Colombo. A dozen other prisoners and officials were also wounded and they have been admitted to the Nagoda hospital for treatment. Further investigations are on.<br/><br/>The killings are suspected to be a rivalry between two criminal gangs. Police spokesman said the prisoners were being taken to a court proceeding when an armed gang confronted and opened fire. The main target seems to be an underworld operative who was also attacked in 2015. A dozen others including prisoners and officials were injured in the incident. Crime rate in Sri Lanka is relatively low under the present regime but there are inter-gang rivalries of such nature. Today's incident was the biggest one in recent times and second one after March last year where another criminal was shot at.

In Sri Lanka, seven persons including a notorious criminal and two prison officials were killed today morning in gunfire at Kalutara, 40 kilometers south of capital Colombo. <br/><br/>Police said it is investigating to identify and locate the gunmen who opened fire while the prison bus was on its way to the Kalutara Courts Complex. It said underworld figure Anura Udayashantha alias Samayan was also killed following the shooting. <br/><br/>A dozen other prisoners and officials were also wounded and they have been admitted to the Nagoda hospital for treatment. Further investigations are on.

In Sri Lanka, seven persons including a notorious criminal and a prison official were killed today morning in gunfire at Kalutara, 40 kilometers south of capital Colombo. Police said it is investigating to identify and locate the gunmen who opened fire while the prison bus was on its way to the Kalutara Courts Complex. <br/><br/>It said underworld figure Anura Udayashantha alias Samayan was also killed following the shooting. Five other prisoners were also wounded and they have been admitted to the Nagoda hospital for treatment. Further investigations are on.