News

News

UPFA Anamaduwa rally attacked - UNF supporters surrender
By Hiran Priyankara our Anamaduwa correspondent
Eight UNF supporters yesterday surrendered to Police in connection with an attack on a group of UPFA supporters on Friday night at a pocket meeting of former PA parliamentarian D.M. Dassanayake at Serukele in the Puttalam district.

Police were last night on the lookout for former Puttalam district UNF MP Ranga Bandara in connection with the incident. The incident resulted in a gang of 25 allegedly attacking PA supporters with swords and knives seriously injuring three. It is said to have taken place after Mr. Dassanayake had addressed a gathering of about 500 UPFA supporters and was about to leave. The pocket meeting was organized at a supporter's house. His house too had been damaged.

The injured were taken to hospital where they refused to stay following threats from the alleged attackers. Mr. Dassanayake told The Sunday Times that it is a former UNF parliamentarian who should take the blame.

"Even while I was going for the meeting I was stopped by the gang but I continued as we have all the right to carry out our campaign. The person behind the incident is Ranga Bandara, and even in my complaint to the police I named him as I have ample proof" said Mr. Dassanayake. He added that if such violence continues there will be bloodshed closer to the polls.

According to the police complaint filed by Mr. Dassanayake following the incident, Mr. Ranga Bandara had allegedly arrived at the scene and his supporters had forced the UPFA supporters to kneel before him and promise that they won’t get involved in politics.

Top

Back to News