Opposition MPs attacked in Hambabtota; Ruling party politician brandishing his pistol chased MPs

A team of UNP MPs who were on an inspection tour of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport have come under attack by unidentified goons, the Ada Derana reporter confirms. Stones were pelted at the bus that the MPs were travelling in, UNP MP R. Yogarajan told Ada Derana.

The team comprised UNP MPs Ajith P. Perera, Eran Wickremaratne, R. Yogarajan, Nalin Bandara and Ajith Manapperuma. While our bus was attacked outside the airport, while inside a group hooted at us, Yogarajan told Ada Derana.

He added that the MPs were threatened by this group and despite complaining to a high ranking police officer no action was taken.

Then we went to the Hambantota Harbour where a gun wielding Hambantota Mayor Kavinda Fernando threatened us while a Police ASP and HQI looked on silently, Yogarajan added.

A group of UNP MPs who were visiting the Magampura Port, Hambantota were threatened and journalists accompanying them pelted with eggs by a mob that included a pistol yielding thug.

MP Eran Wickramaratna who was among the group of MPs who had undertaken the tour said that they had got prior permission to visit the port from the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).

“When we arrived, we were welcomed by the officials there but suddenly a mob came from inside the Porte and surrounded us. First they began to question us and later they turned violet,” Wickramaratna said.

The mob had pelted stones at the vehicles carrying the MPs and thrown eggs at the journalists accompanying them.

The MP said that they had decided to leave the scene as they feared for their safety and would lodge a complaint with the Police in Colombo.

Before visiting the port, the MPs had visited the Mattala Airport, he said.

Mobs threatened the group of UNP MPs that undertook an observation tour of Mattala international airport today (17), said MP, attorney Ajith P. Perera, a member of the group.

The group of MPs is to make submissions to parliament regarding the expenses for the Hambantota port and Mattala international airport.

MP Perera said they had to abandon the inspection when around 100 pesons threatened his group at the airport.

Other members of the UNP group were Nalin Bandara, Eran Wickramaratne, Ajith Mannapperuma and R. Yogarajan.

According to our correspondents, mobs had manhandled the MPs and threw eggs at them near the administrative building of the port and also booed at and threatened the group as well as journalists present at Mattala.

Hambantota UPFA mayor Eraj Ravindra Fernando had been among those who had led the mobs, and armed with a pistol, he had ambushed the UNP MPs and the journalists.

Policemen deployed at the airport and the port had not mediated, said the correspondents.