[Chamila Ranasinghe lies in a critical condition]
Pro government gangs have unleashed violence against opposition supporters in several areas of Sri Lanka in the wake of opposition common candidate was announced in Colombo yesterday (21 Nov).
Colombo Mirror reports that a local council member of Sri Lanka’s main Opposition United National Party (UNP) has been shot on his head while a vehicle convoy has been attacked, hours after a top minister of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s ruling coalition quit his government and was named as the common opposition candidate at the upcoming snap presidential poll, scheduled to be held on January 8.
According to reports, an unknown group of men arriving in a car shot Chamila Ranasinghe, former opposition leader of the Beruwala Pradeshiya Sabha on his head while a group of UNP supporters were celebrating the crossover of government ministers to the opposition at Maggona in Payagala Friday evening.
He has been rushed to the Kalutara Hospital but later transferred to the intensive care unit at the Colombo National Hospital in a critical condition.
Asian mirror reports that those who opened fire at the activists of the opposition are supporters of a Minister of the government, representing the Kalutara District. No arrest has so far been made in connection with the incident.
Meanwhile LankaeNews reports on two more incidence of violence against opposition supporters.
In Mawathagama, Kurunagala district, a vehicle parade by opposition supporters led by UNP Provincial Council member Alawathuwala had came under attack form pro government gangs, 10-12 vehicles had been damaged while a UNP PC member had received injuries. He has been admitted to Kurunagala hospital.
In Anuradapura a group of opposition supporters were attacked using iron bars by a another pro government gang. Anuradapura police has refused to record the complaint, says LankaeNews.