The assassination of Lasantha Wickramasekara, Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, was reportedly carried out under a Rs 1.5 million contract originating from Dubai, police investigations have confirmed.
Before the killing, the total contract amount was reportedly paid in cash to the gunman.
The prime suspect was arrested on October 26 in Nawinna, Maharagama, following a coordinated operation by the Police Special Task Force, State Intelligence Service, and other law enforcement divisions.
Several accomplices were also detained in the Kakirawa and Galle areas.
According to police sources, the assassination contract was given to the gunman by a close associate of well-known underworld figures “Midigama Ruwan” and “Midigama Chuti,” with Rs 1.5 million handed over before the act.
After the killing, the gunman evaded capture for some time but was eventually identified and apprehended while attempting to purchase a new cellphone as per instructions received from Dubai handlers.
CCTV footage revealed the suspect fleeing with his wife on a motorcycle through several locations, including Wellawe and Kahikawa. Police have recovered Rs 1.2 million from the gunman’s wife.
The investigation is being led under the strict supervision of the Inspector General of Police and involves multiple divisions including the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and State Intelligence Service.
All suspects will be transferred to the FCID for further questioning and financial crime investigations.
Initial inquiries revealed the prime suspect had only a primary education and had no military service record, dispelling some earlier assumptions.
This high-profile murder has sent shockwaves through the political and criminal landscapes of southern Sri Lanka, highlighting the deadly intersections of politics, organized crime, and money laundering.
