Sri Lankan opposition MPs have accused the government of covering up the assassination of Lasantha Wickramasekara, a politician who was shot dead inside his office this week, as others raised fears of more death threats and violence.
The killing of Wickramasekara, the Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, chaotic scenes in Sri Lanka’s parliament with questions over political accountability, the role of the security forces, and the rise in shootings under the National People’s Power (NPP) administration.
Sri Lankan Police Headquarters confirmed that Wickramasekara had written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in early September seeking protection after receiving repeated death threats. His letter, dated 6 September, was sent through official channels to senior officers in the Southern Province, including the Senior DIG, DIG Matara–Hambantota Range, and the SSP Matara, with instructions to local police to take action.
However, a police statement released after his killing this week did not clarify whether any security was ever provided.
‘A convenient cover-up’
Rehan Jayawickrama, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) organiser for Weligama, accused the government of attempting to disguise the killing as an underworld feud, describing the narrative as “a convenient cover-up under the label of underworld activity.”
Jayawickrama revealed that Wickramasekara had first written to the IGP in August 2025, warning that an assassination attempt could take place either outside court or at the local council premises. “Special protection for him and other SJB members was requested multiple times. The response was silence,” he said.
He also dismissed the government’s attempt to portray the victim as a criminal figure.
“The late Chairman won his ward in Midigama with 67% of the vote. He wasn’t handpicked through a national list; he earned his mandate directly from the people,” Jayawickrama said. “How can someone the government now calls a ‘known criminal’ have been allowed to contest and hold office under its own administration?”
The SJB organiser added that the same allegations had surfaced months ago when the government faced criticism for politically motivated abductions and staged shootings. “He was murdered inside his official workplace, on the very chair he was elected to occupy,” Jayawickrama said.
Opposition MPs warn of growing threats
The assassination has also reignited fears over the safety of opposition politicians.
SJB MP Jagath Withana told Parliament that he had received information about a plot to assassinate him, with a letter from the IGP naming a suspect. “The letter says I will be shot dead,” he said, calling on the government to ensure his protection.
Responding to the plea, Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih said the matter would be brought to the attention of the Speaker, while Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa warned that the murder of Wickramasekara highlighted how opposition representatives were being left without security.
“The Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha was shot dead as he was not provided the necessary security, despite making requests to the Police,” Premadasa said. “Several MPs are facing similar situations. What can be done when someone is killed? We should learn from the Weligama incident.”
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) spokesperson Manoj Gamage warned that “Namal Rajapaksa’s life is in danger” and claimed that if he were to be killed, the government would “frame it as an underworld issue.”
Government claims ‘underworld link’
In Parliament, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala rejected allegations of political motive, instead claiming Wickramasekara had links to the underworld.
“Although he was elected as a public representative, he was an underworld figure with six court cases against him,” Wijepala told Parliament, listing cases in Matara, Kurunegala, and Galle High Courts. He alleged that Wickramasekara had been in possession of weapons and connected to other criminal figures recently arrested in Indonesia.
“There is an evident clash between organised crime groups in the country who are in possession of weapons,” the Minister said. “This was one such incident. However, the government does not approve of the death of a criminal, as we recognise the value of human life.”
Wijepala said four police teams had been deployed to investigate the murder and that suspects had already been identified. “All suspects will be arrested within the next two to three days,” he added.
Mounting unease over rising violence
The killing comes amid growing public unease over escalating shootings and violence across the South.
Despite assurances from the Minister of Public Security that there is “no threat to national security”, the assassination of an elected official inside his own office has deepened fears that Sri Lanka’s deteriorating law and order has political ends.
