Shower of stones at Opposition Leader's convoy during Balapitiya visit
TUESDAY, 11 JUNE 2013
Police today prevented a pro-government mob setting upon Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as he toured the Balapitiya area visiting families whose members had been killed in Saturday’s stormy weather conditions at sea.
So far over 50 persons have killed with about 22 of them from Balapitiya.
Mr Wickremesinghe who visited some of the families had been advised to avoid certain areas of Balapitiya as a UPFA Member of Parliament had warned that the opposition leader will not be allowed to visit the area.
Following the advise from his security the opposition leader was heading to the Ahungalla area where the UNP had organized a seminar.
‘As we were heading to the seminar a bus blocked our pathway. Two persons who got off the bus rushed towards my vehicle and opened the door. But my security and the local police prevented them from doing any harm’, Mr Wickremesinghe told Timesonline.
He said thereafter they proceeded to attend the seminar.
UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake who was in the same vehicle told Timesonline that he had telephoned Inspector General of Police N.K.Illangakoon and complained about the incident. “I have called for an inquiry into the incident’.
He said stones had been pelted at the opposition leader’s vehicle and damages had been caused.
Earlier in the day the MP had told his supporters to prevent opposition members visiting the funeral houses of the fishermen killed in the storm claming it would be a disadvantage for the government.
VIDEO: RANIL AND UNP MPS PELTED WITH STONES
June 11, 2013
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe, MP Wijedasa Rajapaksa and several other opposition MPs were attacked with stones and other objects in the Migettuwatta area in Balapitiya today.
UNP MP Wijedasa Rajapaksa stated that the attack took place at around 4.30 p.m. when they had attended the funerals of several fishermen, who had perished at sea during violent storms on Saturday.
He stated that a mob of nearly one hundred “thugs” had pelted stone at them, even damaging the UNP Leader’s official vehicle.
UNP MP Wijedasa Rajapaksa stated that the attack took place at around 4.30 p.m. when they had attended the funerals of several fishermen, who had perished at sea during violent storms on Saturday.
He stated that a mob of nearly one hundred “thugs” had pelted stone at them, even damaging the UNP Leader’s official vehicle.
