Polls violence claims first life-UNP supporter killed in Gampaha
By Faizer Shaheid-March 19, 2014
The first elections-related death was reported yesterday when the supporter of a UNP Gampaha District candidate was killed following a clash in the Dompe area.
The victim was identified as O.K. Piyasena, a supporter of the United National Party (UNP) candidate, for the forthcoming Provincial Council Elections, Harshana Rajakaruna. The alleged attacker has been identified as Wasantha, a supporter of a United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) candidate, who is a former MP.
A group of Rajakaruna's supporters had been engaged in a poster pasting campaign in Kimbulwilawatte, Dompe when the tragedy had taken place. A rival faction had confronted the group and a dispute had arisen between the parties. Although weapons had not been used, the victim had been assaulted mercilessly, police said.
Meanwhile, Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) confirmed the identity of the assailant and alleged the police had adopted an easygoing attitude towards the election law violations, which had thus resulted in the blatant disregard for the law in the Gampaha District. CaFFE said the election law violation count had escalated to 848, of which 102 were reported from the Gampaha region.
The victim had succumbed to injuries on admission to the Gampaha Base Hospital. A Police squad has been dispatched to conduct further investigations.
March 19, 2014
By Faizer Shaheid-March 19, 2014 The first elections-related death was reported yesterday when the supporter of a UNP Gampaha District candidate was killed following a clash in the Dompe area.
The victim was identified as O.K. Piyasena, a supporter of the United National Party (UNP) candidate, for the forthcoming Provincial Council Elections, Harshana Rajakaruna. The alleged attacker has been identified as Wasantha, a supporter of a United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) candidate, who is a former MP.
A group of Rajakaruna's supporters had been engaged in a poster pasting campaign in Kimbulwilawatte, Dompe when the tragedy had taken place. A rival faction had confronted the group and a dispute had arisen between the parties. Although weapons had not been used, the victim had been assaulted mercilessly, police said.
Meanwhile, Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) confirmed the identity of the assailant and alleged the police had adopted an easygoing attitude towards the election law violations, which had thus resulted in the blatant disregard for the law in the Gampaha District. CaFFE said the election law violation count had escalated to 848, of which 102 were reported from the Gampaha region.
The victim had succumbed to injuries on admission to the Gampaha Base Hospital. A Police squad has been dispatched to conduct further investigations.
Police arrest man over molesting 15-year-old girl
March 19, 2014
Police have arrested a 64-year-old man from the Naththandiya area over allegations of sexually molesting a 15-year-old girl, police reported.
The crime had taken place on December 9, 2013 while it was only reported to the police on February 3 this year.
The girl who was abused was taken to the Marawila hospital for inspection while doctors confirmed in a report issued on February 18 that she had been molested.
The 64-year-old in question was a neighbour of the victim while the girl and her mother had visited the man’s house on the day of the incident. Although the mother had returned home, the daughter had remained at the suspect’s house when he had molested her, initial investigations uncovered.
The suspect will be produced before the Marawila District Court.
