Former Sri Lanka U-19 captain Dhammika Niroshana was shot dead by an unidentified assailant outside his house in Ambalangoda in Galle on Wednesday. He was 41 and is survived by his wife and two children.

According to Sri Lanka Police, the investigations are underway to apprehend the shooter. Local media reported that the shooter used a 12-bore firearm to commit the crime. However, Sri Lanka Police media spokesperson Nihal Thalduwa suggested that the shooting was a result of gang rivalry.

“Investigations are underway to arrest the suspect involved in the shooting which seemed to be a result of a gang rivalry,” Thalduwa said.

Further reports suggested that Niroshana was supposed to stay in the country for three months. He had anticipated the incident and fled away for his life following the death of his close friend Dasun Manawadu in the same region.

The local police are also probing a link between Niroshan’s murder and the death of former cricket administrator H. Premasiri that took place in 2016. He was also shot in the same region when he was the president of the Galle District Cricket Association.