May 09, Colombo: Police sources said ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) parliamentarian Amarakeerthi Athukorala and his driver were killed when their vehicle was attacked by a mob in Nittambuwa

A group of people surrounded the vehicle of MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala when it was passing Nittambuwa and tried to assault him and there was a shooting during the attack.

MP Athukorala and his driver were killed in the shooting and six persons who were injured in the shooting in Nittambuwa have been admitted to the Wathupitiwala Hospital

It was not clear who instigated the shooting. The State TV ITN reported that the MP Athukorala and his driver have committed suicide when the vehicle was surrounded.

Hiru News reported that MP Athukorala opened fire and critically wounded two people blocking his car in Nittambuwa, and was later found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A 27-year-old youth also was killed in the shooting.

The mob enraged by the shooting has toppled his vehicle.

Meanwhile Opposition MP Kumara Welgama has been assaulted by a group near the Makumbura on Southern Expressway. The MP has sustained minor injuries due to the attack and receiving treatments at the hospital.