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| Monday, 4 November 2002 |
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Three members of the staff and one guest of the Trans Asia Hotel in Colombo were admitted to hospital in the early hours of yesterday morning after an armed gang forcibly entered the hotel in the heart of Colombo and indiscriminately attacked all present in the lobby. Police questioned two leading Colombo businessmen, Ravi Wettasinghe and Milinda Ekanayake in connection with the incident. According to eyewitnesses Wettasinghe and Ekanayake had been at the posh nightclub at the Trans Asia called the "Library" and had left around 3.30 am. The Library is for members only and charges a Rs 75,000 annual fee. While on their way out, Wettasinghe and Ekanayake allegedly had had an argument with another party having drinks at the bar. Abuse had turned to punches and the two parties had begun to scuffle. The hotel staff had pulled the brawlers apart and then Wettasinghe and Ekanayake had left. Some of the guests at the bar had been injured in that scuffle. About 20 minutes later Wettasinghe had returned with about 15 bodyguards carried in two limousines and allegedly ordered them to attack the hotel staff and the guests present in the lobby. Nine members of the hotel security, one hotel guest and two managers were injured when they allegedly received blows from knuckle-dusters and poles the attackers had carried. Police have received complaints that some of the attackers carried pistols and other firearms. A Trans Asia spokesman said they had lodged a strong protest with the government over the incident. "If armed persons are permitted to get away with this kind of attack in the heart of the City how can we keep our guests safe," the spokesman asked. ASP Premalal Ranagala investigating the incident said the police were looking for a vehicle the attackers had travelled in. |
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