In a brazen daylight attack that has sent shockwaves across Sri Lanka, an opposition politician was brutally gunned down by an unidentified assailant in the town of Kuliyapitiya on Tuesday.
The victim, identified as Saman Perera, a dedicated member of the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party, was ambushed near his residence in what appears to be a targeted political assassination.
Chilling Details of the Attack
According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary police investigations, the assailant approached Perera on foot and opened fire at close range. The gunman executed the attack with chilling precision before fleeing the scene on a waiting motorcycle driven by an accomplice.
"The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the local hospital," confirmed a police spokesperson from the Kuliyapitiya division.
Political Fallout and Condemnation
The assassination has triggered widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum. Opposition leaders have demanded an immediate and thorough investigation into the killing, expressing grave concerns about the deteriorating security situation for political activists in the country.
"This cowardly attack on our colleague represents not just the loss of a dedicated public servant, but an assault on democracy itself," stated a senior SJB party official during a press conference.
Security Concerns Mount
Security forces have launched a massive manhunt to apprehend the perpetrators, with checkpoints established across the North Western Province. Forensic teams have cordoned off the crime scene and are collecting evidence that might lead to the identification of the assassins.
The incident has raised serious questions about the safety of political figures in Sri Lanka, particularly those from opposition parties who have been increasingly vocal about governance issues.
As investigations continue, the nation watches with bated breath, hoping for swift justice and measures to prevent such political violence from recurring.
