COLOMBO/WELIGAMA — Political tensions have escalated sharply across Sri Lanka following the assassination of a prominent local government chairman, Lasantha Wickramasekara, in the southern town of Weligama on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

The Incident

Wickramasekara, 38, the Chairman of the Weligama Municipal Council and a key member of the main opposition party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), was fatally shot inside his office. Police reports indicate an unidentified gunman stormed the premises while the Chairman was holding a meeting with local residents and opened fire multiple times with a revolver before fleeing the scene.

Political Fallout and Tensions

The killing, which is reportedly the first political assassination since the current government came to power, has sent shockwaves through the political community and fueled anxieties over the volatile state of local governance.

• Power Struggle: Wickramasekara’s death occurs amid an intense power battle for control of the Weligama council between the SJB and the ruling party. Opposition leaders have condemned the killing as an attack on democracy, hinting at politically motivated violence, although police have not yet confirmed the motive.

• Volatile Climate: The assassination has highlighted a troubling spike in violent crimes across Sri Lanka this year, much of which has been linked to organized criminal networks and drug syndicates. Official data suggests over 50 people have been killed in more than 100 shootings since the start of the year, contributing to an environment of fear and instability.

Police have launched a full-scale investigation to apprehend the killer and determine the true motive behind the attack, promising to bring the perpetrators to justice. The event is expected to significantly increase political scrutiny and potentially destabilize local governance in the region.