[UPFA the ruling coalition violate election laws with impunity; file photo]
Additional Mahiyangana Magistrate Gamini Rambakenpura yesterday released, on surety bail of Rs. 100,000 each, UPFA MP for Badulla, Thenuka Vidanagama and his brother former UPFA Uva Provincial Councillor, Anura Vidanagama, arrested yesterday for obstructing and threatening Deputy Commissioner of Elections for Kurunegala, Chaminda Namal Thalangama, who was on special election duty in Mahiyanganaya.
Police spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said that the Mahiyangana police had also arrested Siriwardana Gunawardana de Silva alias Kasun Chuty, the suspect, who grabbed the Deputy Election Commissioner’s video camera with which the official was filming the vehicle parades and processions of the UPFA supporters in Mahiyangana along with the other main suspects, the MP and his brother.
The SSP said that the police had recovered the camera.
Additional Magistrate remanded Kasun Chuty till August 11 for robbery, violating the elections laws, obstructing the duty of an election officer and for threatening him.
Uva DIG Roshan Fernando yesterday said the video footage of UPFA Badulla District Parliamentarian Thenuka Vidanagamage, who made death threats to the Deputy Elections Commissioner after the latter videoed the vehicle procession, which violated the election laws was in the possession of the police.
The senior police officer also said that the police had the video footage of the UPFA supporter cum businessman, Kasun Chuty, grabbing the video camera of the Deputy Elections’ Commissioner.
[Original Caption: UPFA MP and brother arrested, given bail; Obstructing top polls official; One remanded for grabbing officer’s camera]
By Madura Ranwala and Norman Palihawadana
IS