Magistrate calls for video footage

The Moratuwa Magistrate W. Aravinda Perera yesterday directed the police to submit two video footages of the incident where water bottles were thrown at Minister Jeewan Kumaratunga when he visited the scene of the Moratuwa carpenters’ protest, to the Moratuwa University Technological Unit and obtain scenes at close range. The carpenters defending their vocational rights, staged a protest on July 24 at Rawathawatte junction, Moratuwa.

Police told court that Posts and Telecommunications Minister Jeewan Kumaranatunga had come to the scene of the protest at the invitation of the Ven. Beruwala Ananda Thera of the Anandaramaya to accept a petition detailing the hazards faced by the carpenters in relation to their trade. It was then that several bottles containing water were hurled at him.

The next hearing date was fixed for August 19. However, no suspects have been arrested although police had recorded statements from about eight people in this regard.

Minister Kumaratunga was not present in Court. Moratumulla Crimes OIC Sub-inspector Anura Weerasekara prosecuted.

Minister Jeewan Kumaranatunga had called over at the scene to accept a petition detailing the hazards faced by the carpenters in relation to their trade, when several bottles containing water were hurled at him