Police stood by as we were hit by rotten eggs and tomatoes: UNP MP

MATTALA ASSAULT CASE AGAINST HAMBANTOTA MAYOR AND 4 OTHERS

Two UNP MPs and a State Minister, testifying against current Hambantota Mayor Eraj Ravindra Fernando and four others this week, told High Court Judge Thamara Tennakoon how they were surrounded near the Mattala Airport and intimidated by an organised group.

The suspects, Premasiri Paranamanna alias Paththakka Some, Tuwan Ramanan Bhaman alias Bandagiriya Tuwan, Mahamadakalapuwa Madusha and Bindu Sri Warnasinghe are indicted for unlawful assembly and criminal intimidation, among 27 other charges.

Gampaha District MP, A j i t h Manapperumagiving evidence under cross examination by Deputy Solicitor General Dilipa Peiris and State Counsel Jehan Gunasekara, said the team was on a fact finding mission of a project launched with Government funds, with a view to assessing its productivity.

"On April 17, 2014, a team of MPs visited Mattala Airport, and when leaving the premises, an organised group of men gathered and, at first, spoke to us amicably but later, threatened us and questioned us, instilling fear in us, while Senior Police officers present on duty, just stood and stared," he said. He said the group assaulted them with rotten eggs and tomatoes.

"When we entered the premises, we had no fear, as the area was a High Security Zone. To escape the intimidation we rushed to the bus, with the 5th suspect, the Hambantota Mayor chasing us, holding an object that resembled a revolver," he said.

“I hid under a seat in the bus, when an object like a stone crashed through the window like a blast," he said.

Kurunegala District MP, Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, giving evidence said they never expected this kind of development in a region under the purview of the former President.

"We suspect that a high authority had instructed the Mayor to resort to this course of action. It is regrettable to note the inaction of the Police, to prevent this incident," he said.

MP Jayamaha further said the Mayor had not done anything to safeguard them.

"However, the evening news broadcast, quoting the Police Media Unit, maintained that we were provided Police protection, which is a totally false statement," he said.

State Minster for Finance, Eran Wickremarate told court that, they were able to save themselves only because a media team in the bus was video recording the attackers.

The next hearing was fixed for June 13 .