Hotelier shot at farewell party

by Kurulu Kariyakarawana

A hotel owner who threw a farewell party to his friends in the business community was shot and dumped on the rail track in a gruesome murder reported from Rideegama, Kurunegala on Friday night.

The 39-year-old victim Disanayaka Arachchilage Anuruddha Bandara also known as ‘Kalu Malli’ was a father of two, the police said.

He had thrown a party to his fellow hoteliers and businessmen to celebrate the completion of the rent period of the hotel premises.

The gathering was attended by 35 guests.

A heated argument triggered by an old dispute had led to the shooting by one of the guests. Following the shooting a group had carried the host and dumped on a rail track.

The victim who was still alive had managed to crawl his way to the Kurunegala-Dambulla main road, from where a trishaw driver had rushed him to the Kurunegala Hospital. He, however succumbed to his injuries shortly after admission, the police said.

Kurunegala Police have arrested four persons in connection with the murder, according to SSP Kurunegala Division Ajantha Samarakoon.