NPP candidate injured in Sunday’s protest dies at National Hospital

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A NPP Local Government election candidate for Nivithigala, injured during the protest march on Sunday in Colombo died at the Colombo National Hospital, General Secretary of the JVP Tilvin Silva said.

He said the member was identified as Nimal Amarasiri, 61. He was a former Administrative Officer at the State Plantation Corporation.

Mr Amarasiri popularly known among his friends as "CC Mahattaya" was contesting from the Noragolla Division for the Nivithigala Pradeshiya Sabahawa.

Mr Amarasiri had suffered an eye injury as well.

At least 28 persons were injured when the Police used tear gas on the NPP protest march which was backed by the JVP.

The protesters were blocked by the Police at Union Place.

A friend who accompanied Mr Amarasiri for the protest said that both of them were caught up in the tear gas attack, but they had later met and followed the speech of JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake. "He told me he felt not well and wanted to get back to the bus we had arrived in. He was taken to the bus and he fell unconscious there from where he was rushed to the hospital", he added.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission today called the Inspector General of Police to submit a report on the use of water cannons and tear gas on protesters when there was no court ordering from entering the area.

The IGP has been told to submit the report by tomorrow.

Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa, however claimed that tear gas was used as they were marching in violation of the court order.

Meanwhile Political parties and other organisations have sent condolence messages while condemning the tear gas attack on the protest.

MP Champika Ranawaka, head of the 43^rd Brigade in a statement said “We have to consider this unfortunate incident which happened due to the attack of the government during this protest for the people's democratic right to vote, not as an accident but as a murder. This is a flagrant violation of the civil rights of the people. This suppression process of the government is strongly condemned by the 43^rd Brigade”