A shooting incident was reported near the public bus stand in Gampaha town last night, police said.

According to reports, two individuals on a motorcycle opened fire at a moving small lorry before fleeing the scene. The two occupants of the lorry exited the vehicle and ran into a nearby shop for safety.

Fortunately, they were not injured in the incident. The motive behind the shooting has yet to be determined.

Gampaha Police are conducting further investigations to identify and arrest the suspects.

The annual State oil anointing ceremony, held in conjunction with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, is scheduled to take place today (April 16) at 9:04 a.m. at the Sri Maha Natha Devalaya premises, located within the Sri Dalada Maligawa Square in Kandy.

The anointing of oil will take place at 09.04 am on April 16 while donned in green attire facing Southwards, with Kohomba leaves above the head and ‘Kolon’ leaves at the feet, as per the traditional almanac.

The Department of Meteorology states that showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, North-western, Uva, and North-central provinces during the afternoon or night today (April 16).

A few showers may also occur in the Western Province and in the Galle, Matara, Puttalam, and Mannar districts in the morning, according to the Dep. of Meteorology.

Fairly heavy falls of over 50 mm are likely in some areas of the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Uva provinces.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa district during the morning.