The bullet riddled vehicle. (Courtesy Daily News)
Sri Lankan police announced that arrests have been made over the murder of the leader of a right-wing Sinhala nationalist party, with reports that criminal elements involved in drug trafficking are implicated in the killing.
Saman Perera, the leader of the 'Ape Janabala Pakshaya' (meaning “Our Power of People Party” in Sinhala), was confirmed to be among the five individuals shot dead in Tangalle, on Monday.
Sri Lanka’s Daily FT reported the arrest of one man, whilst Ada Derana reported at least two more suspects had been detained by police.
There are claims that Perera may have been en route to provide testimony in court regarding an ongoing drug trafficking case. The fatal attack occurred near the Beliatta entrance of the Southern Expressway.
Further reports claim that criminal figures involved in drug trafficking who are currently in Dubai, were involved in the murders.
Perera had also reportedly been targeted even before entering politics due to alleged associations with underworld gangs.
Ape Janabala Pakshaya, under Saman Perera's leadership, had fielded candidates across numerous districts in the last Parliamentary elections. Despite securing one seat through the National list with a nationwide vote count of 67,758, internal conflicts marred the party as rival extremist Buddhist monks Galagodaaththe Gnansara Thero and Athuraliye Rathana Thero, tussled for the sole contested seat.
One of the monks lodged a complaint at the Swiss Embassy in Colombo, claiming that “groups supporting Galagoda Athethe Gnanasara, Arthuraliye Rathana and the Chairman of the OPPP Saman Perera were looking me”. He claimed to have been kidnapped and assaulted.
