Colombo  - A female journalist was shot and injured by an unknown gunman on Monday night in eastern Sri Lanka, military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said.

The journalist identified as Radhika Deva Kumari, 35, was shot in Kallady, Batticaloa, 240 kilometres east of the capital Colombo.

The journalist was also working as a media officer until last week for the newly elected Chief Minister for the eastern province, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan.

Police said the motive for the shooting was not known. (dpa)