Protest against UNP leadership at Matara

Commotion of UNPers end after shooting incident ...PC member Krishantha too has got gun-injuries ... one person serious

      Maithree - Shiral joined hands with others in organising the protest march which began from Devinuwara, Matara today,protesting that Mr. Ranil Wickremasingha should resign from the UNP leadership. Another counter-protest was organised by Mangala and Ranil-supporters from Wellamadama, Matara that Ranil should remain in his position.

      Conflicts took place between parties of both sides in the town of Matara as well as in Devundara area in this protest march which started with about 500 participants today, on Saturday morning.

      A fight broke off when both parties came face to face at the Matara town and 7 persons had sustained injuries in the fight that broke off there and had been admitted to hospital. Among them were an army soldier, a town council employee. When both these parties clashed in a violent manner close to the Maha Bodhiya in Matara, a shooting incident took place. During this shooting session, member of parliament of the Southrrn Province, Mr. Krishantha Pushpakumara was among the injured. Mr. Krishantha at the moment is under treatment at Karapitiya Hospital, Galle while the condition of the other is serious. Cinnamon-clubs and stones were used in this incident and the incident was similar to a mini-battle.

      In the meantime it was reported that the Matara Magistrate courts had issued an order to stop the protest and walk organised by a group of supporters of the UNP compelling Mr. Ranil Wickremasingha to abandon his leadership with the UNP. It is understood that Matara Addl. Magistrate Mr. Manjula Karunarata had issued this order on a request made by political headquarters of Matara.

      However, even before this order was handed over saying that a public commotion would take place, the said shooting incident took place and as a result of which the protestors, about 60 or 70  in number had dispersed after taking their lunch near the Kamburugamuwa Tank in Matara,as reported by the police. 

      It was reported that the crowd of supporters directed by Mangala Samaraweera had left the march and that the group of supporters of m.p. Sajith Premadasa , directed by Maithree Gunaratna and Shiral Lankathillaka were those who came from Colombo and that they had later gone back to Colombo.
 28 photos from here