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Attack on Samurdhi Animators: Five remanded, 22 on bail

by Sarath Malalasekera

The Polonnaruwa Police yesterday took 22 suspects into custody in connection with the attack on the Samurdhi animators demonstrating opposite the Medirigiriya Divisional Secretariat on Wednesday.

A UNP Provincial Councillor and a brother of a UNP MP were among arrested. They were later produced before the Polonnaruwa Magistrate Saman Wickremarachchi and released on bail. The Magistrate directed the suspects to furnish cash bail in Rs. 5000 and a bond of Rs. 50,000 with a surety each.

The suspects are Don Bastian Ariyasinghe Abeygunwardena, R. K. Sunanda Rajapaksa, P. K. Chandana Bandara, Susikala Abeywickrema, P. G. Rohitha Dissanayake, W. T. Don Anura Priyantha, K. G. Asoka Ranjith Kumar, M. G. Harindra Jayaruwan, P. M. Wasantha Dissanayake, W. K. Jagath Silva, W. G. Shantha Kumar, W. G. Mutu Banda Basnayake, P. R. Abeyratne, H. Ranjith Seneviratne, Ruwan K. Gunasinghe, H. M. A. Karunaratne, W. M. Wimalasena, H. K. Jayalath Premasiri, P. P. Sisira Kumara Dabare and P. K. Jayantha Divulakadage. The suspects were directed to appear in court on October 8.

The five suspects taken into custody earlier in connection with the incident were further remanded till october 8. The demonstration had been organised to protest against an alleged assault on two Samurdhi animators a couple of days ago. When the demonstration began, an armed gang forcibly entered the premises and allegedly attacked the participants and journalists covering the event.

Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation's provincial correspondent who was seriously injured in the attack was admitted to the Hingurakgoda Hospital.

Polonnaruwa Senior SP K. P. P. Pathirana is conducting investigations on the direction of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and IGP T. E. Anandarajah.

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga also requested Police to investigate the incident.

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