On Wednesday, a Sri Lankan opposition politician was fatally shot in his office, marking the first political assassination amidst a spate of killings, police reported.
Lasantha Wickramasekara, 38, the council chairman of Weligama, was engaged in a meeting with constituents when an assailant entered and fired multiple revolver shots.
There were no other injuries, and the shooter escaped.
“We have launched an investigation to apprehend the suspect,” police stated, noting the attack’s motive is still unknown.
Wickramasekara belonged to the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party, embroiled in a fierce rivalry with the ruling party over the Weligama council’s leadership.
This year, Sri Lanka has experienced a rise in violent crimes, largely tied to drug cartels and organized crime.
Official data reveals at least 50 people have died in over 100 shootings.
This incident is the first political assassination since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration took office last year, promising to restore order.
In February, the most audacious attack occurred when a gunman, disguised as a lawyer, killed a suspect in a Colombo courthouse.
