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World News
22 October 2025

Sri Lankan Politician Assassinated Amid Crime Surge

Lasantha Wickramasekara, an opposition council leader, is shot dead in his office as Sri Lanka faces a wave of gang-related violence and mounting political tension.

On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the coastal town of Weligama in Sri Lanka was rocked by the brazen assassination of Lasantha Wickramasekara, a 38-year-old opposition politician and head of the town’s council. The killing, which occurred inside Wickramasekara’s office while he was meeting with constituents, marks the first political assassination in a wave of violence that has gripped the island nation this year.

According to police statements reported by ABC and the Associated Press, an unidentified gunman entered the council office building, drew a pistol, and fired multiple rounds at Wickramasekara before fleeing the scene. No one else was injured in the attack. Wickramasekara was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries soon after. The assailant’s motive remains unclear, and authorities have launched a full investigation to track down the perpetrator.

Wickramasekara, a prominent member of the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party, had led the party to victory in a crucial contest for control of the Weligama council, unseating the ruling party’s grip on the region. The SJB has been locked in a bitter power struggle with the ruling party, and the shocking nature of the killing has sent ripples through Sri Lanka’s political landscape.

Official figures cited by NDTV and the Associated Press reveal that Sri Lanka has experienced a disturbing surge in violent crime throughout 2025, much of it linked to gang rivalries over drug distribution. There have been over 100 shooting incidents this year alone, resulting in at least 51 deaths and 56 injuries. Wickramasekara’s assassination is the first time a politician has been targeted in this new wave of violence, a fact that has heightened public anxiety and political tensions.

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala, speaking in parliament on the day of the shooting, directly attributed the killing to gang rivalry. He alleged that Wickramasekara himself had links to gang activities and narcotic drugs, stating, “There are six ongoing court cases against Wickramasekara and he has previously served jail terms.” Wijepala did not specify the nature of these alleged crimes or the details of the court cases, leaving room for speculation and controversy.

Opposition lawmakers, however, have pushed back forcefully against the government’s narrative. Ranjith Madduma Bandara, a fellow opposition lawmaker, demanded an impartial inquiry into the killing and placed the blame squarely on the government for failing to provide adequate security. “The government must take the responsibility for this killing. This is a political killing,” Bandara declared, as reported by the Associated Press. The opposition’s call for an independent investigation underscores the deep mistrust and polarization that has come to define Sri Lankan politics in recent years.

The government, for its part, has repeatedly pledged to restore law and order and crack down on organized crime. Since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration took office last year, authorities have arrested dozens of suspected gang leaders and notorious criminals. Some of the alleged ringleaders had been hiding abroad—in countries such as Dubai, Indonesia, India, and Nepal—before being tracked down and extradited with the help of international law enforcement agencies. Despite these efforts, the violence has persisted, and the assassination of Wickramasekara represents a significant escalation.

This latest killing comes on the heels of other high-profile attacks that have shocked the nation. In February 2025, a gunman disguised as a lawyer shot dead a suspect inside a courthouse in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital. That attack, widely seen as a sign of growing lawlessness, set the stage for the current spate of shootings and fueled public demands for tougher action against gangs and drug traffickers.

Local media outlets, including NDTV, have highlighted the sense of fear and uncertainty that now pervades many parts of the country. The fact that Wickramasekara was killed while performing his official duties—meeting constituents in what should have been a safe space—has raised serious questions about the ability of authorities to protect public officials and maintain order. The opposition SJB party, which had only recently wrested control of the Weligama council from the ruling party, now finds itself mourning a leader and demanding justice.

Wickramasekara’s background has become a focal point in the aftermath of the shooting. While government officials have pointed to his alleged criminal ties, supporters and fellow opposition members have painted a different picture, describing him as a dedicated public servant targeted because of his political success. The lack of clarity around the motive for the killing—and the allegations swirling on both sides—have only deepened the sense of crisis.

Sri Lanka’s ongoing struggle with organized crime, particularly drug-related gangs, has been cited by police and government officials as the main driver behind the recent uptick in shootings. According to official statistics, more than 100 shootings have occurred so far in 2025, a dramatic increase from previous years. The government’s attempts to clamp down have included high-profile arrests and promises of stricter law enforcement, but the violence has continued unabated.

The assassination of Wickramasekara is likely to have far-reaching consequences for Sri Lanka’s political climate. With opposition leaders accusing the government of negligence and the ruling party pointing to alleged criminality within the opposition’s ranks, the stage is set for a period of heightened tension and scrutiny. The demand for an impartial investigation is gaining traction, with many Sri Lankans calling for transparency and accountability in the wake of the tragedy.

As the investigation unfolds, all eyes will be on the authorities to see whether they can bring the perpetrator to justice and address the underlying issues fueling the violence. The killing of a sitting politician in broad daylight, in the midst of a crowded office, is a stark reminder of the challenges facing Sri Lanka as it grapples with crime, political rivalry, and the quest for stability.

For the people of Weligama and the wider Sri Lankan public, the hope is that this shocking event will serve as a catalyst for real change. But for now, the nation mourns the loss of Lasantha Wickramasekara, the first political victim in a year marked by bloodshed and uncertainty.