Range’s hotel and shops attacked

By Yohan Perera, Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe and Jayaratne Wickramarachchi
A hotel and a shopping complex owned by the United National Party (UNP) MP Palitha Range Bandara at Karuwalagaswewa in the Puttalam District have been attacked by unknown gunmen during the early hours yesterday.

Mr. Range Bandara told Daily Mirror that a group of people armed with T-56 rifles had attacked the business establishments owned by him.  When asked whether he suspected any person or persons to be behind the attack, Mr. Range Bandara said it had to be someone connected to government politicians because they were the ones who could roam about weilding T-56 rifles.
“Who else but influential politicians from the ruling party could obtain T-56 rifles,” Mr. Range Bandara asked.
The attack was launched less than 24 hours after he was arrested and bailed out in connection with an alleged assault. However, commenting on his arrest on Sunday, Mr. Range Bandara said he was arrested for a crime which was in no way connected to him.  “I am innocent and that’s why I was granted bail,” Mr. Range Bandara said.