Gunmen opened fire on an election rally of the United National Party in Sri Lanka on Friday, leaving at least one person dead. 

At least 12 other people were injured as they were carrying out an election campaign in Colombo's Kotahena area.

Armed groups arrived in two vehicles and shot at people said to be campaigning for Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Sri Lanka's Daily Mirror reported. 

"They seemed to target me. I am safe. Four people from a car shot at in all directions," the minister, who was present at the rally, told Reuters. 

A woman was killed in the shooting, police spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekera told Colombo Gazette. 

Sri Lanka is set to hold its parliamentary elections on 17 August.

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