Sanath Nishantha becomes magnet of protester rage
Violence flared across Puttalam District on Monday after attacks on peaceful protesters at “GotaGoGama” by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) goons.
Many residents in the district were angered by videos circulating online showing State Minister and Puttalam District lawmaker Sanath Nishantha among the mob that attacked the protesters.
Crowds carrying rods and clubs set up makeshift roadblocks near Ma-Oya Bridge that marks the boundary between the North-Western and Western provinces along the Colombo-Puttalam road, stopping vehicles in an effort to find Mr Nishantha. The official vehicle of the chairman of the Kalpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha was attacked in Chilaw town while this was taking place.
Denouncing the attack on Galle Face, protests were held in many towns across the district. At about 4pm, a crowd of several thousand marched on Mr Nishantha’s home and office in
Arachchikattuwa. They stoned the buildings and set them alight. Soon, mobs were attacking homes and properties of other government representatives across the district.
Houses, properties and vehicles of four state ministers, two former provincial councillors and three PS members were attacked and set alight. Aside from Mr Nishantha’s house, mobs also targeted State Minister Arundika Fernando’s house in Dankotuwa, two houses belonging to State Minister Ashoka Priyantha in Nattandiya and Marandawella along with three of his vehicles, and State Minister Priyankara Jayaratne’s house in Madampe.
They also destroyed the house, offices and vehicles belonging to All Ceylon Makkal Congress MP Ali Sabri Raheem, who had supported the government.
Homes of former North-Western Provincial Council members Trevin Fernando and Palitha Rohana were damaged while the home of the former chairman of Arachchikattuwa PS, Jagath Samantha was also targeted. Mr Samantha is a brother of Mr Nishantha.
The homes of former chairman of the Puttalam PS, Nimal Bamunuaarachchi and the home of Chilaw PS chairman were among the other properties that were damaged.
Police said investigations have begun.