In a chilling turn of events, 39-year-old local politician Dan Priyasad was shot and killed in what police believe may be a tragic escalation of a long-running family dispute. The incident took place late Tuesday night at the Laksanda Sevana housing complex in Salmulla, Kolonnawa, where Priyasad was staying with relatives.
Witnesses and CCTV footage confirm that two men arrived on a motorcycle, slipped into the building via the stairwell, and made their way to the sixth floor. Armed with a 9mm handgun, the assailants fired eight rounds—four of which struck Priyasad. Despite emergency surgery at the Colombo National Hospital and subsequent care in the ICU, he sadly passed away around midnight.
Security footage later showed the suspects not only fleeing the scene—but shockingly, taking Priyasad with them after the shooting. His body was later recovered and formally identified by relatives this morning. A magistrate’s inquest was held this afternoon, as authorities continue piecing together what happened.
The murder, though shocking in its brutality, appears to be rooted in deep-seated family tensions. Investigators have linked this case to a 2022 killing involving Dan’s brother, Thilina Priyasad, who was stabbed to death near the Orugodawatta flyover by two helmeted individuals. Thilina had known ties to drug trafficking and was facing two ongoing court cases at the time of his death. In a twist of fate, Dan’s own relatives were implicated in Thilina’s murder.
Just days before Dan was gunned down, tensions appeared to spike again—a relative’s three-wheeler was attacked, further signaling unrest within the family circle. Following Dan’s murder, a father-son pair from the accused faction fled the area, prompting the Colombo Magistrate’s Court to swiftly issue a travel ban. Police say preliminary findings point strongly to their involvement in the killing.
Dan Priyasad wasn’t just a political figure—he was active in community affairs and had recently secured a spot on the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s additional candidate list for the Kolonnawa Pradeshiya Sabha in the upcoming local government elections. Sagara Kariyawasam, the party’s General Secretary, confirmed Priyasad’s candidacy and expressed deep sorrow over his passing.
As investigations continue, authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information that might shed light on this politically and personally charged tragedy.
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