Wednesday Jul 14, 2010
A gang of drug addicts are suspected to be responsible for the recent string of murders and thefts carried out against beggars in Colombo as the daily cash collection of the beggars had been stolen according to police sources.

Police Spokesperson Preshantha Jayakody stated that eight beggars had been murdered over the past few weeks in Slave Island, Pettah, Wellawatte, Mount Lavinia and Colpity.

However he added that the motive for the slaying was yet unknown and further investigations are still underway to apprehend the killers.

Daily Mirror online spoke to a beggar in Town hall who stated that their best option now was to sleep in groups instead of sleeping alone to stay safe.

“Most of the beggars in this area sleep in groups near the shed because it is safer to be in groups than on your own. We are scared that we will suffer the same fate as those who were killed but our best option is to sleep in groups. We strongly suspect that drug addicts are involved in these murders as there are organized drug addict groups,” he said.

Another beggar in a wheelchair living close to the Colombo National Hospital said he has had no problems so far. The man lives with two others in a makeshift tent behind the hospital.

“I have heard about these incidents where several beggars were killed with a big stone. But I don’t think I have anything to fear as I live close to the hospital and the surrounding area is quite safe. I go around Colombo during the day and come here to sleep at night,” he said.

Source: daily mirror
Author: Indika Sri Aravinda and Sherwani Synon