Noon drama in Moratuwa bank

One killed, Rs. 1.7 m snatched:

RAFIK JALALDEEN

A man was shot dead and Rs. 1.7 million robbed inside a private bank in Rawathawatte, Moratuwa yesterday morning, police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said.

He said two armed masked men came on a motorcycle stormed the bank and threatened the owner of a petrol shed who had gone to deposit his money.

"The robbers attacked the petrol shed owner and his driver inside the bank after a clash. The driver was shot dead by the gunmen inside the bank," he added.

The incident took place around 9.30 a.m. in the presence of bank employees and security personnel. Robbers snatched the money from the filling station owner at gun point and fled, SSP Gunasekera said. The victim was identified as E. Saman Kuruppu. The injured filling station owner was admitted to hospital, police said. Moratuwa police are investigating.