A turf war is hot-ting up between rival UPFA groups in the Kelaniya division of the Peliyagoda electorate following a pre-dawn attack on the residence of a regional politician.
It is understood President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directly intervened in a bid to neutralize the matter.
The Chairman of the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha, Mr. Prasanna Ranaweera has alleged that goons instructed by Labour Minister Mervyn Silva were responsible for the armed attack on his residence during the early hours of Monday morning.
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| Mr. Ranaweera surrounded by neighbours and supporters in the aftermath of the attack on his home. |
The attack caused considerable damage to property.
He said in the recent weeks the Minister had interfered in the Council’s operations which led to the creation of rifts within the council and this perhaps may have prompted the attack.
“I along with six other UPFA members of the Kelaniya PS had jointly made a complaint to the Peliyagoda police on July 6th, even before Monday’s attack citing threats and intimidation”, Mr. Ranaweera said.
He added the Minister sought to be everywhere, even if it meant opening of a common public latrine in order to grab the limelight and eventually receive publicity.
“This should never be the case. It is the local council that works towards a project, public or otherwise and it is only fair the council gets the required publicity and credit that goes with it”, Mr. Ranaweera added.
He alleged that Minister Silva had also demanded certain projects coming under purview of the council be handed over to his personal friends ignoring standard procedures such as tenders.
“Such acts of thuggery will not scare me and other members of the Council. We are prepared to take anything head on” he said.
A gang of around a dozen persons armed to the teeth stormed Mr. Ranaweera’s residence around 2.00 am on Monday and caused extensive damage to the premises. They also threatened the inmates with serious bodily harm.
A senior policeman confirmed that a complaint to this effect had been received by the Kiribathgoda police and a full investigation was currently underway.
“There has been no breakthrough as yet, although some half a dozen persons have already been questioned in this connection. However we are confident of an arrest at the very earliest” he said.
The official added 24-hour police protection had been provided to the victim at his residence in Hunupitiya.
Several attempts by ‘The Sunday Times’ to reach the Minister over the past two days proved unsuccessful as aides kept saying he was not available and they would get back to this office.
Several messages were also left at the Minister’s residence saying ‘The Sunday Times’ wanted to contact the Minister, but there has been no response. |
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