Key point
- Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara gunned down in his office during public meeting
- Police confirm assassination was targeted; special teams launched manhunt
- Samagi Jana Balawegaya party condemns “cowardly act against democracy”
ISLAMABAD: A Sri Lankan opposition politician was shot dead inside his office on Wednesday in the southern coastal town of Weligama, police confirmed.
Lasantha Wickramasekara, chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha and a member of the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party, was meeting local residents when an unidentified gunman entered the premises and opened fire at close range.
Police told Daily Mirror Sri Lanka that Wickramasekara was hit multiple times and died on the spot, while the assailant escaped on a motorcycle.
“We have identified several potential suspects based on CCTV footage and eyewitness statements,” said Southern Province Senior DIG Ajith Rohana, adding that a special police team has been assigned to the investigation.
According to The Sunday Times Sri Lanka, the attack appeared to be a “targeted political assassination,” though investigators have not yet established a clear motive.
The killing marks one of the most high-profile acts of political violence since the current administration took office.
Political reaction and condemnation
SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara told Ada Derana that Wickramasekara’s death was “a cowardly act that strikes at the roots of local democracy.” He urged the government to ensure accountability and protect elected representatives at the grassroots level.
Surge in gun violence and public concern
Reports cited by The Island Online noted that Sri Lanka has witnessed a rise in gun-related killings this year, with over 100 reported shootings, many linked to gang networks and local disputes. Analysts said the Weligama attack reflects the re-emergence of political and criminal overlap in the country’s south.
Outlook
Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa told Colombo Gazette that “no one involved will be spared,” confirming that ballistic tests and witness protection measures are under way.
Political observers warned that the failure to deliver swift justice could deepen public concern over deteriorating law-and-order conditions and erode confidence in the state’s capacity to safeguard political officials.
