On October 22, 2025, the quiet coastal city of Weligama in southern Sri Lanka was thrust into the national spotlight after a brazen assassination inside a government office. Lasantha Wickramasekara, the 38-year-old council chairman and a prominent figure in the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party, was shot dead by an unidentified gunman during a routine meeting with local residents. The audacity of the attack—and the fact that it is the first political assassination in Sri Lanka since the current government took office—has sent shockwaves through a nation already grappling with a sharp rise in violent crime.
According to police statements cited by The Economic Times and AP, Wickramasekara was attending to official duties in his Weligama office, about 150 kilometers south of Colombo, when a gunman entered and opened fire with a pistol or revolver. Despite the chaos, no one else in the room was harmed. The assailant fled the scene before authorities could respond. Wickramasekara was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries soon after.
"An investigation is underway to track down the killer," police said in a statement, adding that the motive for the attack remains unclear. This official uncertainty hasn’t stopped speculation from swirling, especially given the broader context of violence that has gripped Sri Lanka in 2025. Official figures show that at least 51 people have died and another 56 have been wounded in more than 100 shootings so far this year—numbers that have alarmed citizens and politicians alike. Much of this violence, authorities say, is linked to drug gangs and organized crime.
But the killing of Wickramasekara, an elected opposition leader, has raised the stakes considerably. His party, the SJB, has been locked in a bitter power struggle with the ruling party over control of the Weligama council—a contest that the SJB recently won. The situation has been tense, but few could have predicted it would spill over into outright political assassination.
The government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake since last year, came to power on a promise to restore law and order. Yet, this killing marks a dramatic setback for those efforts. The assassination is the first of a politician since Dissanayake’s administration began, underscoring the challenges facing the government as it tries to rein in criminal activity and maintain public trust.
Further complicating the narrative are allegations from Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala, who told parliament that the killing was a result of gang rivalry. Wijepala went so far as to allege that Wickramasekara himself was linked to gang activities and narcotic drugs. He stated, "There are six ongoing court cases against Wickramasekara and he has previously served jail terms." However, Wijepala did not specify the nature of these cases or the reasons for Wickramasekara’s prior imprisonment.
These claims have only added fuel to a political firestorm. Opposition lawmakers have demanded an impartial and independent inquiry into the assassination, arguing that the government failed to provide adequate security for Wickramasekara. Ranjith Madduma Bandara, a fellow SJB lawmaker, was blunt in his assessment: "The government must take the responsibility for this killing. This is a political killing." The call for accountability has resonated with many who see the attack as more than just another episode in Sri Lanka’s ongoing crime wave.
Wickramasekara’s murder also highlights a disturbing trend: the increasing brazenness of violent criminals. Earlier this year, Sri Lanka was shaken by another shocking incident when a gunman disguised as a lawyer entered a Colombo courthouse and shot dead a suspect in broad daylight. That attack, like the Weligama assassination, underscored the growing sense of insecurity among both public officials and ordinary citizens.
In response to the surge in violence, the government has pledged to crack down on organized crime and drug syndicates. Police have reportedly arrested dozens of suspected gang leaders and notorious criminals in recent months. Some of these alleged ringleaders had fled Sri Lanka and were apprehended in countries as far afield as the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, India, and Nepal, before being extradited back to face charges. Despite these efforts, the persistence and scale of the violence suggest that the roots of the problem run deep.
The political implications of Wickramasekara’s assassination are significant. His role as council chairman and his party’s recent victory over the ruling party in Weligama made him a high-profile figure—and, perhaps, a target. The SJB’s demand for an impartial investigation reflects broader concerns about the politicization of law enforcement and the potential for violence to be used as a tool in local power struggles.
For many Sri Lankans, the assassination has revived painful memories of past eras marked by political violence and instability. While the country has made significant strides in recent years toward peace and reconciliation, the events of 2025 are a sobering reminder that the specter of violence still looms large. The government’s ability to deliver on its promises of law and order will be closely watched in the weeks and months ahead.
Meanwhile, the investigation into Wickramasekara’s murder continues, with police urging anyone with information to come forward. Authorities have not ruled out any motive, and the possibility of political, personal, or criminal factors all remain on the table. The outcome of the investigation—and the government’s response—will likely have far-reaching consequences for the country’s political landscape and its ongoing battle against crime.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Weligama’s residents are left grappling with uncertainty and fear. For now, the office where Wickramasekara once met with constituents stands as a stark symbol of the risks faced by public officials and the urgent need for effective action against violence. As Sri Lanka confronts this latest crisis, the eyes of the nation—and the world—are watching to see whether justice will be served and stability restored.
