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New York Mayoral staffer of Lankan origin mugged
View(s):A senior staffer of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has been mugged while on a Manhattan subway, US media reports.
Mahen Gunaratna, of Sri Lankan origin, is the Mayor’s Deputy Director of Communications. According to US media, thieves had snatched Gunaratne’s iPhone from his hand while he was on a crowded Manhattan subway. Though he had chased the two suspects out of the Fulton St. station, they got away and are still being sought.
According to the New York Daily News, Gunaratna, 30, was mugged at about 5:20 pm. Tuesday. When the train pulled into Fulton St. station, Gunaratna was standing and holding onto a pole with his right hand. Just as the doors were about to close, the suspects grabbed the iPhone from his left hand and fled. Gunaratna described the suspects as black and 17-20 years old. One is about 5’8″ and 140 lbs, and the other is about 5’10″ and 175 lbs.
Gunaratna had served in the de Blasio administration as Director of Research and Media Analysis, but left City Hall in January 2016, to work for Hillary Clinton’s campaign for President. He returned to city govt in January, this year.