Tamil businessman shot dead, wife injured in Colombo

Colombo, Feb 9: A leading Tamil businessman was shot dead and his wife was wounded by unknown gunmen in the heart of the heavily-guarded capital city, police and military sources said.

The Defence Ministry said the Tamil couple was on the way to a pharmacy last night after attending prayers at the nearby St Lucia Church, Kotahena, when the gunmen riding in a motorbike shot them at point blank range.

''The victim identified as Kulanthaweli Veera Subramaniyam, 54, a businessman, died on the spot, while his wife suffered serious injuries. Mrs Subramaniyam has been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital,'' it said.

''Informed sources who suspect possible links say an internecine battle has started among the Colombo underworld gangs that have been dealing with the LTTE,'' the Ministry added.

Kotahena police is conducting further investigation into the shooting incident.

UNI