Colombo - The editor of an anti-government newspaper who was shot and seriously injured in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo Thursday morning succumbed to his injuries, hospital director Dr Anil Jasinha said. The editor of the Sunday Leader newspaper, Lasantha Wickrematunga, was shot near his office in Attitiya, 12 kilometres south of the city centre, by an unidentified gunman.
"We carried out an operation lasting three hours, but failed to save his life as one of the three gunshot injuries to the head was very serious," Dr Jasinha said.
The newspaper has recently been critical of the government.
There was no immediate indication as to who was responsible for the shooting.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered a full-scale investigation into the shooting.
Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena claimed the opposition was harassing the media and trying to tarnish the image of the government.
The incident came two days after a television station was attacked and set on fire by a mob on the outskirts of Colombo.
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe claimed the attack on the television station had "the blessings of the government."
