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President’s visit to Batticaloa marred by killing
View(s):By Chris Kamalendran
The killing of a villager during a party by construction workers has led to the postponement of today’s opening by President Maithripala Sirisena of a tourist hotel at Pasikudah in Batticaloa.
The President will, however, go ahead with other events including the opening of the domestic airport in Batticaloa, the refurbished Webber Stadium, an upgraded school play ground and a school prize giving.A senior police officer said the clash occurred a few metres away from the hotel when the constructions workers were having a party to mark the completion of their work on the four-star hotel, part of a chain owned by a Colombo-based businessman.
“There was an argument among the workers. A village fishermen tried to settle the dispute, but was beaten up and then stabbed with a bottle,” the officer said. The victim was identified as Thambipillai Thangarasa, 51.
Eight suspects have been arrested and remanded till July 22.