The Chief Incumbent of the Kiri Vehera Raja Maha Vihara, Ven. Kobawaka Dhamminda Thera, who was shot Tuesday night, was flown by an Air Force helicopter to a private hospital in Colombo from the Hambantota Hospital Wednesday for further treatment.
The chief incumbent Ven. Kobawaka Dhammindaa Thera was shot in the courtyard of the temple when he was returning to the living quarters at around 10:15 p.m. after worshiping the Kiri Vehera.
Ven. Dr. Veedapola Sobitha Thera of Kataragama Central College who was accompanying chief incumbent Ven. Kobawaka Dhammindaa Thera also received gunshot injuries.
The two monks were admitted to the Kataragama Hospital first and later transferred to the Hambanthota General Hospital.
Later, Kiri Vehera Nayaka Thera was brought to a private hospital in Colombo today for further treatment by a Sri Lankan Air Force helicopter. The Chief Incumbent has received injuries to his abdomen and right arm. The Director of the Hambanthota General Hospital Dr. Dhanushka Perera said that a surgery was performed on the Nayaka Thera this morning (13).
Ven. Veedapola Sobitha Thera is receiving treatment at the Hambantota General Hospital.
According to the police, three suspects who arrived in a vehicle were hiding near the temple and shot at the Chief Incumbent and the other monk when they were coming from the Temple.
The police took the vehicle used by the gunmen to escape after shooting in to custody yesterday night. It reportedly belongs to a custodian of a Dewala (Kapuwa) of the Kiri Vehera Temple.
The police have identified all the suspects and operations are being conducted to arrest the suspects. Investigations are being carried out by the Kataragama Police under the supervision of the Superintendent of Police in Tangalle.
