37 allegedly involved in UNP’s Matara clash up before Magistrate tomorrow

Thirty seven persons arrested in connection with the October 5 clashes in Matara, between two groups of UNP supporters, will be produced before the Matara Magistrate’s Court tomorrow ( 14), for an identification parade.

Among those in custody include Herman Gunaratne, father of Southern Provincial Council member Maithree Gunaratne.

Herman Gunaratne, along with another individual who was injured in the shooting, are now receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital.

UNP Matara District MP Mangala Samaraweera said that most of those arrested were not involved in the clashes. “The investigation conducted by the police is biased. Those responsible for igniting the clash were not arrested,” he said.

However, Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said the police conducted a fair investigation. “The arrests were made based on evidence from video footage given to the police by the public,” he said, adding that several police teams have been deployed in the area.

“We haven’t concluded the investigations yet, as there are other individuals to be further questioned regarding this,” he said.

As many as 100 persons are suspected to have been involved in the clashes.

Meanwhile, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and MP Mangala Samaraweera visited the remand prisoners in Matara yesterday.