Colombo, Jan. 8 : Unidentified gunmen, riding on a motorcycle, on Thursday killed Lasantha Wickramatunga, the editor of the Sri Lankan daily, Sunday Leader, while he was en route to his office here.

Reports quoted the police as saying that Wickramatunga had died of head wounds received in the shootout. Doctors said they spent three hours trying to save his life.

Local media reports said that Wickramatunga was known for his criticism of the government.

Thursday''s incident was the second major attack on the media in Sri Lanka this week. On Tuesday, gunmen ransacked the offices of the largest private TV broadcaster in the country.

According to Amnesty International, at least 10 Sri Lankan media employees have been killed since 2006. (ANI)