{
  "id": 8131415,
  "title": "Three-wheeler driver shot dead in brazen daylight killing at Dematagoda",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/three-wheeler-driver-shot-dead-in-brazen-daylight-killing-at",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T23:45:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/three-wheeler-driver-shot-dead-in-brazen-daylight-killing-at-dematagoda/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A 50-year-old three-wheeler driver named Udugama resident of Galle was killed in a daylight shooting near Dematagoda Black Bridge yesterday, police reported. The gunman is suspected to have ties to notorious underworld figure Mohamed Najim Mohamed Imran, also known as ‘Kanjipani Imran’, who operates overseas. The victim was shot with a pistol and later died from his injuries while receiving medical treatment. He had previously served in the Army, according to preliminary investigations. Police suspect the shooter was in the rear seat of the three-wheeler before opening fire on the driver. The incident is believed to be linked to Imran, a drug kingpin involved in supplying weapons and explosives for a recent bomb attack in Dehiwala that killed two children. Imran also allegedly supplied narcotics to another underworld figure known as ‘Kosmalli’, for whom he supplied weapons. Police are continuing their investigation into the matter.",
  "summary": "A three-wheeler driver was shot dead in a brazen afternoon shooting beneath the Dematagoda Black Bridge yesterday (17), police said. The investigators suspected that killing may be linked to notorious underworld figure Mohamed Najim Mohamed Imran, widely known as ‘Kanjipani Imran’ operating from overseas. The victim, a 50-year-old resident of Udugama, Galle, was killed with […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}