In a shocking act of violence, Lasantha Wickramasekara, a prominent opposition politician in Sri Lanka, was fatally shot inside his office on Wednesday. The 38-year-old council chairman of Weligama was engaged in a meeting with constituents when an unidentified assailant stormed in and fired multiple shots from a revolver. The gunman fled the scene immediately, leaving Wickramasekara dead and no other injuries reported. Local police have launched a full-scale investigation to apprehend the perpetrator, though the motive behind the attack remains unclear. Wickramasekara was a key member of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party, which has been embroiled in a fierce political rivalry with the ruling party over control of the Weligama council. This incident marks the first assassination of a political figure since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration took office last year, vowing to curb violence and restore law and order. Sri Lanka has witnessed a sharp rise in violent crimes this year, with over 100 shootings resulting in at least 50 fatalities, many linked to drug gangs and organized crime. The assassination has raised concerns about the escalating political tensions and the government’s ability to address the growing security crisis.