Violence erupts at Maskeliya PS

A tense situation which arose when electing the Chairperson of the Maskeliya Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) escalated into violence this morning between supporters of the United National Party (UNP) and the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC). 

The inaugural session of the Maskeliya PS was held this morning presided over by Central Province Local Government Commissioner U.M.P. Herath. When it came to electing the Chairperson of the Pradeshiya Sabha, UNP Members protested stating that a female councilor of theirs who had been elected to the PS was not present as she was being kept hidden by the CWC. 

The vote however, took place and G. Sanvagawalli from the CWC was elected as the Chairperson of the Pradeshiya Sabha. United People's Freedom Alliance's (UPFA) Periyasami Pradeepan was elected Deputy Chairperson. 

However, UNP councilors and their supporters protested vehemently over the appointments and this led to clashes outside the PS premises. Police had to call in a riot squad to quell the violence after the situation escalated. 

Text and Pix by G. Krishanthan 

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