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| Thursday, 18 December 2003 |
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Politics | |
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| Assault on Bulathsinghala DS: Suspect MP surrenders by Ranga Jayasuriya and Bulathsinghala Special Correspondent. UNP Kalutara District Parliamentarian Lakshman Wejemanna and four of his supporters who allegedly assaulted Bullathsinghala Divisional Secretary P.B. Siriwardene surrendered to the Matugama Magistrate yesterday while angry Divisional Secretaries in the district continued with their work stoppage for the second day demanding that the culprits be brought to book. Matugama Magistrate Mahinda Pinidiya released the five suspects on Rs. 5000 personal bail each. The suspects were ordered to be present in the court on January 12 for further hearing. The suspects are Kalutara District MP and Bullatsinghala UNP chief organizer Lakshman Wijemanna, Western Provincial Councillor Senaka Samaranayake, Pradeshiya Sabha member U.D. Jayatissa, Kitsiri Ranawaka and M.H.Ranjith. Matugama police said charges were preferred on twelve counts against the five suspects including assault and harassment, attempted kidnapping, committing injuries and obstructing duties of a government servant. Despite several police teams being deployed, the suspects have been evading arrest since the Sunday night's alleged assault of Divisional Secretary Siriwardene who is receiving treatment at the Horana Hospital. Wijemanna and his supporters had allegedly assaulted Siriwardene on the grounds that the latter didn't offer him a "warm welcome" at the Praboda 2003 musical show on Sunday night. Siriwardene was admitted to the Bulathsinhala base hospital and later transferred to the Horana hospital. The victim claims the suspects attempted to abduct him following the assault and thereafter blocked the road in an attempt to prevent his friends taking him to hospital. Meanwhile, the Divisional Secretaries and their deputies in the Kalutara District have written to the Kalutara District Secretary Yasmin Siriwardene informing her that they would continue with their work stoppage till their security is guaranteed and the suspects are taken into custody. Around 2,000 protesters gathered in Bulathsinghala town on Tuesday demanding the police to arrest the suspects who were evading arrest and bring them before the court. The crowds which described the attack as political thuggery demanded an impartial police probe into the incident. Wijemanna has also lodged a complaint at the Bulatsinghala Police saying that Siriwardene who was under the influence of liquor had threatened him. Meanwhile UNP General Secretary Senarath Kapukotuwa was quoted as saying the party would take disciplinary action against the accused MP once police investigations are complete. |
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