Lanka Self-Employed Professionals' National Three-Wheeler Federation Chairman Sunil Jayawardana killed in Mirihana.

Police sources said Jayawardena had been assaulted to death by a group.

He adopted a strong stand against the "Leasing Mafia" which deprived three-wheeler drivers of their livelihood over the past three months.

Releasing a video on Facebook a day before the brutal assault, Jayawardena requested the President to intervene to curb the activities of the "leasing mafia".

Eight people have been arrested by the police thus far in connection with the murder.