Trincomalee shooting: Victim was a naval rating - police

Police investigators have officially confirmed that the man killed during a targeted firearm attack in the Kappalthurai area of Trincomalee on Monday night was an active serviceman serving in the Sri Lanka Navy. Gunmen opened fire on a three-wheeler carrying three passengers before fleeing the crime scene.

The naval rating succumbed to his gunshot injuries prior to reaching the hospital, while the other two occupants sustained serious injuries and were admitted to the Trincomalee General Hospital for emergency medical treatment.

A joint probe involving local police divisions and naval intelligence has been launched to determine whether the shooting was motivated by personal animosity, gang disputes, or other criminal affiliations. Forensic teams have recovered ballistic evidence from the vehicle.