By: Isuru Parakrama
April 24, Colombo (LNW): Police have confirmed the arrest of the primary suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of political figure Dan Priyasad, a divisive public personality and convenor of the “Nawa Sinhale National Movement.”
The incident, which took place on the evening of April 22, has prompted renewed attention to politically linked violence in the country.
Priyasad was gunned down at the Laksanda Sevana housing scheme in Wellampitiya, a densely populated residential area on the outskirts of Colombo.
Eyewitness accounts and initial police reports suggest that the gunmen—two individuals on a motorcycle—approached the activist and opened fire using a pistol before making a swift escape.
The attack was executed with lethal precision. Priyasad sustained four bullet wounds—two to the chest and two to the shoulder—indicating what investigators have described as a targeted and premeditated act.
He was rushed to the Colombo National Hospital, but doctors were unable to save him due to the extent of his injuries. A second individual, believed to have been caught in the crossfire, suffered minor injuries and is currently undergoing medical care.
Whilst no motive has been officially disclosed, speculation remains rife over whether Priyasad’s outspoken and often controversial activism played a role in his murder.
Priyasad rose to prominence through his leadership of the Nawa Sinhale National Movement, a group that gained both attention and criticism for its hardline stances. His vocal political views often stirred public debate and drew scrutiny from various sectors of society.
Law enforcement agencies launched an immediate manhunt following the shooting, and within days, the main suspect was taken into custody. Details about the suspect’s identity or possible affiliations have not yet been released to the public, as police continue to question the individual in what they describe as an ongoing and complex investigation.
The government, whilst yet to issue a detailed statement, is expected to come under increasing pressure to address public concerns over the safety of political figures and the growing fear that ideological differences are once again spilling into violence.
