‘UNP supporters damaged Premadasa statue’

Shirley WIJESINGHE

COLOMBO: The suspects arrested by police for damaging late President Ranasingha Premadasa statue at Dharmapala Mawatha, Kurunegala were supporters of United National Party (UNP) strongman, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Minister Jayarathna Herath told the media at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, yesterday.

He said UNP supporters Mohamed Nishan and Alakoladeniye Suranga were arrested in this regard. Police are investigating to arrest two other suspects who contested the Kurunegala Municipal Council from the UNP for the last Local Government election.

The statue had been in the city of Kurunegala for 15 years and is maintained by the Municipal Council.

The re-constructed statue will be opened by Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister Karu Jayasuriya on July 13.