The victim was identified as 32-year-old Sutharshan Packyiyarasa.
Tension prevails in Mallaakam as the people of the area confront the police for firing at the man with the intent to kill him when he was protecting his nephew and was trying to communicate with the policemen who intervened.
Around 300 villagers were at the church for the evening prayers when the brutal incident took place.
The people of the area allege that the policemen were drunk.
Tamil people in the area have taken to the streets demanding immediate action against the policemen who were involved in the incident. Sinhala policemen, including the notorious STF commandos have been deployed. Tension prevails in the area.
The latest slaying is the 5th controversial killing by the SL police within the last three years in the peninsula.