The Police Headquarters has confirmed that Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara, who was shot dead earlier this week, had formally requested police protection in early September after receiving death threats.
According to police sources, Wickramasekara’s letter dated September 6 was sent to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and subsequently directed through official channels — from the IGP to the Senior DIG in charge of the Southern Province, and then to the DIG Matara–Hambantota Range and the SSP Matara.
The SSP had instructed the Officers-in-Charge (OICs) of the Weligama and Midigama Police Stations to take necessary action regarding the request.
However, the statement issued by Police Headquarters today did not specify whether any security measures were actually provided to Wickramasekara prior to his assassination.
