Sri Lanka: Advisor to President shot dead

Sunday Times Online
.............................................................................................................................................................................................

Former MP and advisor to President Mahinda Rajapaksa Baharatha Lakshman Premachandra was shot dead a short while ago following a gun battle with supporters of UPFA MP Duminda Sila at Kolonnawa, police and hospital officials said.

MP Duminda Silva who sustained serious gun shot injuries to his head is currently undergoing treatment at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital, they said.

At least a half a dozen others who sustained gun shot injuries in melee are also undergoing treatment at the same hospital.

Police investigators believe that today’s incident was the fall out in the killing of a man at Kolonnawa on Friday night, described as a supporter of Mr. Premachandra.

The two politicians are known to have nurtured a rift between them for a considerable period of time, police said.　

© Sunday Times Online