By Roy Denish
A suspected love triangle turned deadly in Weligama as a brutal machete attack claimed the life of a young man, prompting an urgent police hunt for two identified suspects.
WELIGAMA, Sri Lanka — A 27-year-old employee of a private company was killed Saturday in a gruesome machete attack on a street here, in what police suspect was a premeditated ambush born out of a fatal love triangle.
The victim, a resident of nearby Welipitiya whose identity was not immediately released, was performing his work duties on the street when two armed men launched the sudden assault, according to initial police reports.
The attackers used large blades to slash the man multiple times in the neck and body. Police said he suffered heavy blood loss and died at the scene.
Investigators said jealousy appears to be the primary motive, pointing to a long-standing personal dispute linked to a romantic relationship between the victim and a local woman.
The body was moved to a regional hospital for an autopsy. Authorities said they have identified the two suspects who fled the scene and have launched a targeted search operation to arrest them.
