Two children aged 11 and 17 were mistakenly killed and their 55-year-old father injured in an early morning hand grenade attack on Sirisangabo Mawatha on Friday. Police investigations later revealed that the attackers targeted the wrong house during an ongoing underworld clash.

Three police teams have been deployed to investigate the attack, which occurred at around 3 am.

According to police, a man who arrived near the house in a three-wheeler knocked on the front door before throwing a grenade into the premises and fleeing.

The victims were identified as 17-year-old Kasun Rashmika and 11-year-old Duminda Gihan. Their 56-year-old father, Nalin Thusantha Perera, was seriously injured and admitted to the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital.

Police said the injured man’s brother was allegedly a close associate of a drug trafficker known as ‘Sando’ and had also been accused of involvement in drug trafficking.

The brother lives in a house adjoining the one targeted in the attack, and police suspect the grenade may have been thrown at the wrong house.

Police are also investigating information that the attack was allegedly carried out at the direction of several overseas-based drug traffickers, identified as Pandithage Shantha Kumara alias ‘Kos Malli’, Samantha Perera alias ‘Chuwa Samantha’, ‘Kudu Avishka’ and ‘I.D.’

Police said the attack was believed to be linked to an ongoing conflict between two underworld factions, which have targeted each other’s associates in shootings and grenade attacks. More than 20 people have reportedly been killed in such attacks.

Security agencies are also investigating alleged links between one faction and overseas-based criminals including Kanjipani Imran, Unakuruwe Shantha, Dubai Gagana and Handaya.

Security agencies have also received information that overseas-based criminals identified as Kanjipani Imran, Unakuruwe Shantha, Dubai Gagana and Handaya are allegedly behind the supply of firearms and drugs to the faction associated with Kos Malli and Chuwa Samantha.

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) Friday evening after providing a statement for several hours in connection with the ongoing investigation into the controversial procurement of MiG fighter aircraft.

Rajapaksa arrived at the FCID headquarters Friday morning after being summoned by investigators to assist with the inquiry into the procurement and related financial transactions involving the aircraft acquired for the Sri Lanka Air Force.

He was questioned for several hours before leaving the premises later in the day.

Meanwhile, former Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke also appeared before the FCID on Thursday to provide a statement in connection with the same investigation.

Goonetileke left the FCID after being questioned for more than five hours.

The Development Lotteries Board (DLB) has launched its second digital lottery, Wasi, offering a Rs. one million jackpot and electric motorcycles among its prizes.

The new seven-day lottery was released to the market on September 10, with the inaugural draw, titled Raja Wasi, scheduled for October 1.

The DLB said the introduction of Wasi marked a major technological step in its 43-year history and was aimed particularly at attracting younger consumers increasingly engaged with digital platforms.

The lottery can be purchased through the DLB Sweep App or as a printed ticket, priced at Rs. 40.

The draw will be conducted using a fully computerised ball-selection system, with two winning numbers, a Super Number and an English letter selected in each draw.

Participants matching the two winning numbers, Super Number and English letter will be eligible for the Rs. one million Super Jackpot. Those matching the two numbers and the English letter can win either Rs. 500,000 or a brand-new electric motorcycle, according to their preference.

Other prizes include Rs. 50,000 for matching the Super Number and two winning numbers, while smaller cash prizes ranging from Rs. 40 to Rs. 25,000 will be awarded under other winning combinations.

The first Raja Wasi draw will also offer an additional electric motorcycle and cash prizes of up to Rs. 25,000 through special winning numbers, in addition to the regular prize scheme.

The DLB said the entire draw would be conducted using computer technology and broadcast through its DLB Lottery Show YouTube channel. A summary programme will be telecast in Sinhala on the National Rupavahini Channel at 9 pm, while the official results will be broadcast in Tamil on the Nethra channel at 9.30 pm.

The Board said the new digital initiative was intended to offer consumers a simple, transparent and technology-driven lottery experience while expanding its customer base.

The DLB, a State-owned enterprise, also said its operations continued to support national causes, including healthcare through the President’s Fund and higher education through the Mahapola Higher Education Fund.