Sri Lankan Politician Lasantha Wickramasekara Assassinated in Office Attack
International
oi-Ashish Rana
A tragic incident shook Sri Lanka on Wednesday when opposition politician Lasantha Wickramasekara, 38, was shot dead inside his office in Weligama. The brutal attack marks the first political assassination in the country since the current government took power, raising fresh concerns about rising violence across the island nation.
On Wednesday, opposition politician Lasantha Wickramasekara, 38, was fatally shot in his Weligama office, the first political assassination since the current Sri Lankan government took power. Wickramasekara, the chairman of the Weligama Municipal Council and a member of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), was killed by an unidentified gunman. Police are investigating the motive, and the killing occurs amid a surge in violent crimes across Sri Lanka.
Gunman Opens Fire During Meeting
According to police, Wickramasekara, who served as the chairman of the Weligama Municipal Council, was meeting with local residents when an unidentified gunman suddenly stormed into his office and opened fire multiple times using a revolver. The attack left Wickramasekara dead on the spot, while no one else present in the room was injured.
"An investigation is underway to track down the killer," police said in an official statement, noting that the motive for the shooting is still unknown. The assailant managed to flee the scene before law enforcement arrived.
Political Tensions and Power Struggles
Wickramasekara was a member of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the main opposition party currently engaged in a tense power battle with the ruling party for control over the Weligama council. His death has sent shockwaves through the political community, highlighting the increasingly volatile atmosphere surrounding local governance in Sri Lanka.
Surge in Violence Across Sri Lanka
The assassination comes amid a noticeable spike in violent crimes this year, much of which has been linked to drug syndicates and organized criminal networks. Official data reveals that more than 50 people have been killed in over 100 shootings since the start of the year.
This latest attack is the first political killing since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed office last year with a vow to re-establish law and order. In one of the most shocking cases earlier this year, a gunman disguised as a lawyer shot dead a suspect inside a Colombo courthouse, underscoring the depth of the security crisis facing the nation.
