One person was killed and at least ten others wounded, several of them critically, in two separate pre poll incidents in the Puttlam and Matara district yesterday.
High tension gripped the Puttalam area yesterday after a Government supporter was killed and three injured in a shooting incident ahead of a UPFA rally in the area.
According to police, the incident took place as the victims were going for the rally that was attended by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
However, other reports said the UPFA group that came under fire was earlier part of a crowd that had destroyed or damaged election propaganda material of opposition common candidate General Sarath Fonseka.
The shots were allegedly fired from the residence of a regional opposition politician, government supporters said.
Enraged government supporters are later alleged to have set fire to the politician’s residence and a hotel owned by him.
Yesterday’s incident is the second killing in the ongoing bloody pre-poll violence rocking several areas of the country.
Late last week a 68-year -old woman was shot dead while she was going for an opposition rally in Tangalla.
Independent poll observers have so far recorded nearly 600 polls violence incidents since nominations were handed over last month. They have expressed fears that the violence might escalate as the Election Day neared.
Meanwhile a group of supporter of SLFP (M) leader Mangala Samaraweera were injured at Mawarala at Matara last evening when they were attacked allegedly by a group of UPFA supporters.
One person was seriously injured in the attack and was sent to Colombo for treatment while four were being treated at the Matara Hospital.
The victims had been returning home after attending a meeting addressed by Mr. Samaraweera and UNP Matara district MP Sagala Ratnayaka. |
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