TThe UPFA yesterday charged that the Colombo city which recorded a high development rate would soon become a city like Chicago where there are frequent clashes because of the UNP administration.

UPFA Colombo District candidate Wimal Weerawansa said the city was developed at a high rate due to the action taken by the previous government and alleged the actions of the UNP administration were detrimental to the city because the UNP had allegedly involved with underworld figures.

“The city developed under UPFA government and the security measures were taken to make sure that the underworld would not be operated. Many underworld figures left the country back then,” he told a news conference.

Addressing the news conference, UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha said Minister Ravi Karunanayake was attempting to put the responsibility of Friday’s Kotahena shooting to the accounts of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the UPFA.

“It was the habit of the UNP to assign underworld figures to carry out their election campaign and seems they have re started the gun culture in electioneering. UNP candidates had promised to release individuals arrested for grave crimes to gain more votes,” Mr. Premajayantha alleged.

He said there were also reports that some ministers were influencing Police investigations on the Kotahena incident where two supporters electioneering for Minister Ravi Karunanayake, were killed due to gunshot injuries. (Lahiru Pothmulla and Sanath Desmond)