Video Footage Emerges Showing Anti-Ranil Faction Armed With Poles At Beginning Of March

October 14, 2013 

The main opposition United National Party released video evidence of the violent clashes in Matara on October 5 which it claimed shows marchers in the anti-Ranil procession carrying poles and blunt weapons handed out to them from a truck in the procession.

UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera has referred to the anti-Ranil marchers as goon squads hired by Kili Rajamahendran who is chairman of the Sirasa Media Network. Samaraweera says the video images released by his media team were visuals the Sirasa Media network was not broadcasting.

The anti-Ranil march that began at the Vishnu Kovil in Matara was led by UNP rebels Maithri Guneratne and Shiral Lakthilake who were recently expelled by the Party.

28 members of the UNP deemed to be supporters of Mangala Samaraweera were arrested by Matara police and will be subject to an identification parade in court today.

Guneratne’s Father Herman Guneratne who video footage shows went on a shooting spree after a pulling a weapon in the midst of the crowds of protestors from his person, is also under arrest but currently in the Merchant Ward of the Colombo National Hospital.

Speculation was rife that Samaraweera who was noticed by the Matara Police to appear at the police station this morning would be arrested within the course of the day.