The fatal shooting of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekera has reignited public concern over whether the government and law enforcement authorities are taking the growing wave of gun violence seriously. The attack has once again raised fears over public safety amid a troubling surge in organized crime-related shootings across Sri Lanka.
Wickramasekera, popularly known as ‘Midigama Lasa’ and representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), was shot dead inside his office in broad daylight yesterday. He was 38 years old and a resident of Midigama.
The incident marks the first political assassination under the new NPP government, triggering uproar in Parliament as opposition MPs demanded answers from the government on the deteriorating law and order situation.
According to police, two unidentified gunmen arrived on a motorcycle and shot the Chairman three times in the head while he was seated in his office. The assailant, dressed in a white suit and black mask, reportedly posed as a visitor seeking the Chairman’s signature before carrying out the attack.
Wickramasekera was rushed to Matara General Hospital by Pradeshiya Sabha officials but succumbed to his injuries shortly after admission. Police confirmed that a pistol-type firearm had been used in the killing.
CCTV footage showed the gunman entering and later fleeing the premises with another suspect on a motorcycle. Police added that the Chairman was a close associate of imprisoned underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka, alias ‘Harak Kata’.
Yesterday’s attack was the 103rd shooting incident reported in 2025, with 52 fatalities, including several innocent victims. Of these, 76 shootings have been linked to organized crime, according to police data. The last fatal gun attack occurred on September 6 in Grandpass, where a 26-year-old man was gunned down by two unidentified assailants.
Public Security Minister Nalinda Jayatissa condemned the shooting and said that four special police teams have been deployed to investigate the killing. He added that authorities are probing possible links between the Midigama shooting and a wider criminal network.
“These crimes stem from narcotics, underworld activities, and the circulation of illegal firearms,” Minister Jayatissa said. “The Police, security forces, and intelligence units are working together to tackle this issue. It is everyone’s responsibility to eradicate it, and the President and the government are leading this effort.”
Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler stated that operations are ongoing nationwide in coordination with other law enforcement agencies and the Tri-Forces to suppress organized criminal activity.
Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha clarified that such crimes fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Security, not national defence, reaffirming that there is no active national security threat.
Earlier, IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya had called for new legislation to strengthen the fight against rising crime and drug-related offences, stressing that the current legal framework is inadequate for sustained law enforcement operations.
