‘Pekoe Saman’s’ mother shot dead; motorcycle allegedly used by gunmen recovered

14-Aug-2026

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Police have recovered a motorcycle suspected to have been used by three suspects, including the gunman, in the shooting death of the mother of organised crime figure ‘Pekoe Saman’, who is currently being held at the high-security Boossa Prison.

The motorcycle was recovered by the Urubokka Police after it had been abandoned at a tea estate near a bridge in the Dambahala Polwatte area along the Urubokka–Matara road.

Two unidentified men had arrived at a house in the Ulahitiyawa area of Middeniya on August 12, and fired seven rounds at the woman using a 9mm pistol before fleeing the scene.

The 57-year-old woman from Ulahitiyawa, who sustained serious injuries in the shooting, died after being admitted to the Middeniya Hospital.

Pekoe Saman had previously been accused of assisting in the murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa, who was known to be a member of an organised criminal group, together with Kehelbaddara Padme. He had also been accused in connection with the murder of ‘Gajja’ and his two children.

Police suspect that the shooting may have been carried out by a faction led by ‘Karandeniya Sudda’ in retaliation for the murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa.

Further investigations into the incident are being conducted by police.