Gunman kills opposition politician in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, Oct 22 (AP): An unidentified gunman fatally shot an opposition Sri Lankan politician at his office Wednesday, making him the first politician killed in a spate of shootings that have gripped the island nation in recent months.

Lasantha Wickramasekara, the head of the council of the coastal town of Weligama, about 150 kilometers (90 miles) south of the capital Colombo, was attending to his official work when the gunman entered the office building and opened fire using a pistol, police said in a statement.

Police said the assailant fled the scene after the shooting and that Wickramasekara succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to the hospital.

Police did not reveal a motive for the shooting and said an investigation is underway to identify the suspect.

The 38-year-old Wickramasekara was elected to the council from the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya party which won a crucial contest over control of the council with the ruling party.

A wave of crimes, especially shootings, has spiked in recent months in many parts of Sri Lanka, mainly due to gang rivalries over the distribution of drugs.