State Minister’s brother arrested over attacks on houses of JVP and UNP activists

Police have arrested the former Chairman of the Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) Jagath Samantha on charges of attacking houses of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and United National Party (UNP) members and causing damage. 

Mr Samantha is the brother of State Minister Sanath Nishantha and is currently a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) member of the Arachchikattuwa PS. He was arrested yesterday (21) while hiding out at a shrimp farm owned by him in Vairankattuwa. 

The suspect had been wanted in connection with attacks on the houses of JVP and UNP activists on April 4. A group of men allegedly led by the suspect attacked the houses of several JVP activists, including the party's Chillaw organiser and the house of a former UNP local government member, causing severe damage. 

He was arrested yesterday after being on the run for 19 days. Two others were arrested earlier in connection with the incident while four more are to be arrested, police added.

The former PS Chairman is expected to be produced before the Chilaw Magistrate's Court today (22). 

By Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe