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| Monday, 29 March 2004 |
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by Sarath Malalasekera and Baratha Malawaraarachchi Police has made no breakthrough into the assassination attempts on former Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister T. Maheswaran, Batticaloa Government Agent R. Maunagurusamy and EPDP candidate Kandaiah Sangaran on Saturday. Police said they were trying to ascertain whether there was any terrorist involvement in the incidents.IGP Indra de Silva has directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to assist the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) into the shooting of Maheswaran at Gintupitiya junction in the Kotahena Police area on Saturday night while attending an election meeting. According to Colombo National Hospital Director Hector Weerasinghe, Maheswaran underwent surgery on his neck. He was removed to the Colombo National Hospital and transferred to a private hospital for security reasons, a relative of Maheswaran said. According to Dr. Weerasinghe, Maheswaran is in a stable condition. "He even spoke a few words with his relatives," he added. CCD Director Senior SP Sarath Lugoda, directing investigation, said the former Minister had been fired at while being garlanded by his supporters. Investigators are trying to ascertain whether this is the work of terrorist organisation or if the former Minister's political opponents were involved. EPDP National List candidate Kandiah Sangaran was shot at near Wellawatta junction on Saturday by an unidentified gunman who escaped in a motor cycle. Thavarasa, a former EPDP MP has blamed the LTTE for the attempt on the life of Sangaran one of its candidates. A group of supporters of TULF leader V. Anandasangaree who is contesting as an Independent, together with some of his candidates were accosted by a group of persons in Kaithadi while campaigning. The gang wielding iron rods had attacked the vehicles of the Independent candidates. Police providing protection to the independent group were forced to shoot in the air to disperse the attackers. Meanwhile, Maunagurusamy shot in the head on Saturday morning in Pillaiyarad, Batticaloa was flown to Colombo for immediate surgery. He was shot while returning home from his workplace. According to CMEV officials, the two unidentified assailants had come on a motor cycle. Investigations directed by Chief Inspector R.N.M. Bandara, HQI Batticaloa Police, said a suspected LTTE cadre from the Wanni was responsible for the attempt on the life of the Batticaloa Government Agent. Meanwhile, the number of incidents related to threatening with firearms increased during the last several weeks. IGP Indra de Silva yesterday directed all DIGs to take stern action against persons violating the Firearms Ordinance and threaten the public with firearms. Post nomination incidents of polls violence reached 1061 yesterday. According to the Police Election Secretariat, 836 of these incidents relate to election offences while 225 complaints pertained to Violation of Election Laws. Meanwhile, within hours of Saturday night shootings, the European Union Election Observation Mission Chief Observer, John Cushnahan, and Wouter Wilton, Head of the European Commission Delegation to Sri Lanka, Visited the Apollo Hospital and the Colombo General Hospital. They met relatives of the victims and expressed their deepest sympathy and horror. They spoke with the medical staffs attending former UNP Minister, Maheswaran, and the Government agent of Batticaloa Monagurusamy. Following his visit, Mr. Cushnahan said: "Nothing can express the horror and the revulsion that I feel regarding these latest incidents. The attempted murders of an election candidate and an election official represent a direct attack on democracy itself. These cowardly attacks should be condemned in the strongest possible terms." |
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