Colombo (Sri Lanka), October 23, 2025:
An opposition councillor, Lasantha Wickramasekara, was shot dead by an unidentified gunman in the coastal town of Weligama, located about 150 kilometres south of Colombo. The 38-year-old politician from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party was attacked at his office while attending to official duties. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after. The gunman reportedly fled the scene on a motorcycle, and police have launched a large-scale manhunt in the area to identify and arrest the suspect.
Authorities have yet to confirm the motive behind the shooting. However, Sri Lanka’s Public Security Minister suggested that the killing may be linked to gang rivalries and illegal drug cases. Opposition leaders, on the other hand, condemned the murder and demanded an impartial investigation, claiming it could be politically motivated. The shocking incident has heightened tensions in the country and sparked renewed concerns over the growing wave of violence targeting political figures.
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