WELIGAMA PS CHAIRMAN KILLING YET AGAIN REVEALS UNDERWORLD NEXUS IN POLITICS

The pertinent question before Sri Lankan political parties is whether electability or popularity should warrant a repeat offender, a known underworld criminal, or an accomplice being placed on their electoral lists. Such individuals defile the sanctity of the elected office

- By Ranga Jayasuriya

Last week's killing of Lasantha Wickremesekara, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) controlled Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha chairman, inside the chamber by a gunman, and subsequent allegations and counterallegations over the killing have rekindled the fear of the return of political violence. The killing was politicised before the blood dried up. However, more appropriately, the brazen murder should prompt an honest discourse within Sri Lankan politics about the political underworld nexus, which does not seem to disappear, no matter how eloquently our politicians pledged for good governance.

The assassin arrived on the public meeting day of the Weligama PS and shot Wickremesekara, also known as 'Midigama Lasa', at close range before fleeing the scene on a motorbike. The suspected gunman was later arrested in Maharagama. No sooner, in a televised confession, he claimed the killing was undertaken at a Rs 1.5 million contract from an exiled underworld kingpin known as 'Dubai Lokka.' The televised confession has raised concerns about the professionalism of the police and tainted the very professionalism in the swift arrest of the suspects.

The gunman, the pillion rider, the wife of the gunman, and a person who had provided accommodation are being detailed for 72hour questioning.

A chequered character