Jan 05, Kelaniya: Unidentified gunmen have fatally shot a ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) member of Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha (local government) of Sri Lanka today.

The local government councilor Hasitha Kelum Madawala has been shot dead in front of his residence in Waragoda, Kelaniya on Saturday evening by two assailants on a motorcycle.

Director at the Colombo National Hospital Dr. Anil Jasinghe said the Pradeshiya Sabha Member was pronounced dead upon admission to hospital.

Madawala was a strong critic of the electoral organizer of Kelaniya, Minister of Public Relations Mervyn Silva.

Madawala was arrested in July on charges that he behaved violently at a public meeting which was against the waste management policy of the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha. Police said the local government member had attempted to assault the protesters.

Madawala had earlier lodged a complaint against threats to his life and he had discussed the matter with the President Mahinda Rajapaksa as well.

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