Dehiwala Grenade Attack Allegedly Targets Wrong House, Killing Two Children

Two children were killed and their father injured in a grenade attack on a house in Dehiwala in the early hours of today, with police saying initial investigations indicate that the attackers may have mistakenly targeted the wrong residence.

Police Spokesman Assistant Superintendent of Police F.U. Wootler said the intended target was allegedly the residence of an individual involved in narcotics distribution and linked to organised crime figure Badovita Asanka.

According to police, the assailants appear to have mistakenly thrown the hand grenade at a neighbouring house instead of the intended residence.

The attack is believed to be connected to an ongoing conflict between groups associated with Badovita Asanka and rival underworld figure Kos Malli, with police suspecting it was carried out as an act of retaliation.

The grenade exploded at around 3.20 a.m. at a house on Sirisangabo Mawatha in Dehiwala, causing severe injuries and loss of life.

Police confirmed that two children, aged 11 and 17, died in the blast. Their 55-year-old father was injured and admitted to the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.

Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the incident and are working to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack.

The incident has raised further concerns over the devastating consequences of organised criminal disputes, particularly when violence places innocent families at risk.