Shooting at JVP meeting; two killed

15 June 2012 03:14 pm - 25 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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At least two persons including a female were killed when a group of unidentified men on motorcycles opened fire at a JVP meeting at Katuwana in Hambantota this evening, police spokesman SP Ajith Rohana said.

The JVP blamed the incident on a government sponsored armed group led by a person notorious for unleashing violence against political opponents.

Party General Secretary Tilvin Silva told the Daily Mirror that the two victims were attending the pocket meeting organized by the party in the area. He said western provincial council member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa was addressing the meeting at the time of the incident. "Around 7 in the evening, a group of about eight to ten arrived in several motor bikes and opened fire at the crowd in a frenzied mood. Two participants died and scores were injured," he said.

Hambantota has been a hotbed of political violence in recent times. In the run up to the 2010 presidential election, an elderly woman was killed when armed men shot at a crowded bus carrying political supporters to a rally of common opposition candidate Sarath Fonseka. On Christmas eve last year, a British national was killed in a

melee at a tourist hotel in Tangalle, Hambantota. The main accused in the case was the chairman of the UPFA controlled Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha.

Police said the gunmen had arrived in three motor bikes to commit this crime. Around 100 supporters had attended this meeting organized by the JVP. According to initial investigations, T-56 guns had been used in this case. A special police team had been deployed to apprehend the perpetrators. JVP propaganda secretary Vijitha Herath said the meeting was conducted at the residence of a party supporter called Ranjith.

"The woman who died in the incident was his wife. A politically sponsored person is responsible for this killing spree. This person enjoys state security," he said.

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Comments - 25

Naman Saturday, 16 June 2012 04:43 AM

This can happen only in a democratic,sovereign country of ours.
Even god can't save the country now.

Jagath Leanage Sunday, 17 June 2012 03:37 AM

No law and order in the country

Subbiah Saturday, 16 June 2012 07:46 PM

It is surprising nobody has blamed a hidden foreign hand in this violent incident

citizen1 Saturday, 16 June 2012 03:47 PM

Hambantota is owned.

citizen1 Saturday, 16 June 2012 03:46 PM

typical head buried in the sand.

citizen1 Saturday, 16 June 2012 03:37 PM

Hambantota..did you say?

Anthony Saturday, 16 June 2012 01:25 PM

Rahmathullah - I agree with what you have written. Your analysis of the current situation is excellent.

Kiththa Saturday, 16 June 2012 10:52 AM

Who paid You?

silva Saturday, 16 June 2012 08:56 AM

JVP put this goons in power they are getting what they planted

Jagath Leanage Saturday, 16 June 2012 07:59 AM

Huh ! Not the Government afiliated thugs. Government defenetely say a work of "Pearatugami" or UNP. Wait and see.

j Saturday, 16 June 2012 05:30 AM

JVP are you still believe Democracy in this isle

Rahmathullah Saturday, 16 June 2012 05:16 AM

JVP is also partly responsible for the current state of affairs. They didn't foresee that Sri-Lanka would head for a dictatorship when they plotted against the democratically elected government led by Ranil. Now the power has slipped to some wrong hands and they do not know anything else other than jungle laws. My deepest sympathies to families of the victims.

sarath Saturday, 16 June 2012 04:57 AM

Sri lanka Economy just crawling to recover, Sri lankan buffolow politicians practice break down of demcratic discipline
once again bringing doom to our peole in the name of various chinthana. What a shame to Sri lanka

Prof Hemantha Wickra Friday, 15 June 2012 03:31 PM

Whoever is behind this, seems to arouse 71 violence?

Edirisooriya Saturday, 16 June 2012 04:39 AM

Channa, You are a paid commenter by this moron government.

Ranjith Saturday, 16 June 2012 04:19 AM

POLISH MADA PRAKASHAKA WOULD SAY " TWO PEOPLE SHOT EACH OTHER IN THE JVP MEETING AND ONE OF THE VICTIMS GOBBLE THE GUN AND RECOVERD FROM HIS TAMMY, SEVERAL OTHERS ALSO WOUNDED"

Countryman Saturday, 16 June 2012 03:51 AM

JVP showing it's past culture of conflicts.

Dalu banda Friday, 15 June 2012 05:56 PM

Unlike UK, no right to have meetings for opposition citizens in banana republic. Next US envoy is coming to sort out this issue.

pathum Friday, 15 June 2012 05:32 PM

ජුලම්පිටියේ අමරෙට මැද මුලනන් කිරි

bandula Friday, 15 June 2012 05:16 PM

Hambantota? Can't be. This is a planned action of the JVP!

Richardson Friday, 15 June 2012 04:33 PM

What a moron

senthil Friday, 15 June 2012 04:35 PM

it happened at the SLMC convention, then at the TNA Batticola convention, now at the JVP meeting

The world is watching this miracle of asia

fact u fact u. Friday, 15 June 2012 03:44 PM

i don`t know why mehama venne ay ???

channa Friday, 15 June 2012 03:45 PM

JVP now can get a good publicity out of this...

MR Friday, 15 June 2012 03:45 PM

We told you not to come to our Area. This is JVP fault to arrange a meeting in Our area. Only we are allowed to have.

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Shooting at JVP meeting; two killed

Comments - 25

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