Investigations have been launched through CCTV footage regarding yesterday’s murder of the Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, Lasantha Wickramasekara, police stated.
Accordingly, four police teams have commenced investigations, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Southern Province, Kithsiri Jayalath said.
Lasantha Wickramasekara was shot and killed inside his office at the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha by an unidentified gunman last morning.
The shooter, dressed in a white shirt and wearing a black face mask, has entered the chairman’s office under the pretext of signing a letter.
CCTV footage captured the shooter firing four shots targeting Chairman Wickramasekara, who was seated at his official desk, before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle with another individual.
The Chairman was seriously injured in the shooting and was admitted to Matara General Hospital, where he later died.
Police confirmed that the Chairman sustained injuries to his head, chest, and abdomen.
Following the incident, police teams were deployed under the direct supervision of SDIG Kithsiri Jayalath to investigate and arrest the perpetrators.
However, no suspects have been arrested so far.
Police suspect that the faction associated with ‘Midigama Ruwan’, currently detained at the Boossa Prison, may be behind the assassination.
It was also revealed that on August 29, Lasantha Wickramasekara had directed a letter to the Inspector General of Police requesting appropriate security measures due to threats to his life.
Meanwhile, a special meeting was held last night (22) under the leadership of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa regarding the assassination.
According to an ‘Ada Derana’ reporter, several senior members of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, including Members of Parliament, attended the meeting held at the opposition leader’s office.
Following the meeting, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, the General Secretary of Samagi Jana Balawegaya stated that this was a ‘political assassination’.
