Killings unlimited in Galle’s gang rivalry tit-for-tat

A longstanding feud between two groups in the Galle area, has left 12 persons brutally killed and many others disabled without limbs, and even eyes.

The Dangedera area in Galle was predominantly Buddhists, with little less than an equal number of Muslims. The Seneviratne family maintained the peace between the two feuding parties, and would mediate for peace in the event of a conflict, with Nandana Seneviratne in the forefront of such peacekeeping efforts.Kumara, Ajith and Dushyantha Seneviratne were Nandana’s brothers, while Anura Seneviratne, a cousin, was also with the ‘famous’ brothers, when needed.

Meanwhile, in Kanapitiya, a village near Dangedera, was Titus, a man who wanted to rule his village. He had been discharged from the Army for drug use. With a few of his supporters, Titus made sure he ruled the village.

The feud between the Dangedera and Kanapitiya groups was sparked off when Anura Seneviratne attacked some of Titus’s men, resulting in Nandana Seneviratne being hacked to death. Consequently, Dushyantha and Kumara Seneviratne assumed joint leadership of their group.

Dushyantha was elected Opposition Leader of the Galle Municipal Council on the UNP ticket, and about this time, Titus’s men set up gamble operations in Galle.

On August 14, 2008, Kanapitiya group’s H.A.K. Roshan Pradeep was killed in a fight in a gambling den at Sarenthukade junction, where Kanapitiya group’s Tony Suranga was a witness to this incident. Anura and Kumara Seneviratne along with seven others were indicted for the murder.

In the meantime, Dushyantha Seneviratne was shot dead, while Ajith Seneviratne’s son Samith was hacked to death on April 25, 2009, with his brother Prabath severely injured in this incident

Kanapitiya group’s Tony Suranga was the chief suspect in this attack on the Seneviratne’s.

An arm of a member of the Dangedera group was also cut off and thrown into his house.

After a couple of months, on the afternoon of June 5, 2009, the Kanapitiya group cut off Anura Seneviratne’s hands and legs near the Galle post office.

The ongoing feud between the two groups continued with the killing of Anura Seneviratne’s son Gayan Madushanka on March 2011. Kanapitiya group’s Tony Suranga was again the chief suspect.

Then again, on the afternoon of August 25, 2012, Kumara Seneviratne was hacked to death in Galle town in broad daylight.

Later, on November 4, 2012, four bodies were found near the Mahasen Canal in Galle. Police reports reveal they were residents of Kanapitiya.