The man who was shot to death in a hotel in Haputale last night (22) had been killed because he was a witness in a murder case, police sources said.
Police said that the owner of the hotel was also injured in the incident.
The murder victim was a resident of Gandara and has been working in the hotel for about one and a half years.
Police said that six people are in prison in connection with a murder based on the testimony given by the deceased and that he has received death threats for giving the testimony.
Accordingly, the National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses has ordered the police to provide him round-the-clock protection.
During his stay in Gandara, police protection was provided round-the-clock.
It was reported that he has been living a life in secret away from Gandara since his life was in danger.
When the Dewundara Perahera festival was held recently, he had returned to Gandara and had stayed there for three days.
As the police told him that staying in Gandara was life threatening, the man had left Gandara again. The police said that they provided 24-hour security during his stay in Gandara.
Police said that the victim was working as an employee of a hotel located on the Colombo Road in Haputale, away from Gandara.
A group of four had arrived at the hotel and carried out the shooting.
The police are currently analyzing security camera footage to identify the shooters and the vehicles they came in.
