12 January 2010 09:55 am
By Krishan Jeewaka and Ghandya Senanayaka
A group of supporters of Presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka were shot at while they were traveling in a bus at Tangalle this afternoon killing one and injuring at least 4 others, the media unit of General Fonseka told Daily Mirror online.
When contacted the police said the gunmen who opened fire on the bus were traveling on a motorbike. The police also said they could not confirm the motive behind the shooting.
The lady who was killed was identified as Kusumawathi Kurrupuarachi (58), a mother of 5 and a resident of Bimbaduyaya, Vutharandeniya. They were on their way to a political rally organised by UNP MP Sajith Premadasa when the incident took place.
Meanwhile the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV), in a statement over the incident, said that two persons who arrived on two motor bikes first fired at the tyres of the bus, followed by the rear windows, and then proceeded to shoot the passengers through the windows along the sides.
When contacted the Hungama police informed CMEV that one of the suspects was identified as Sampath during the initial 119 call made at the time of the shooting, and that a T56 was used in the shooting. Investigations are currently underway. The bus was carrying supporters to the Sajith Premadasa’s rally that was due to be held at 2.00pm at Thissamaharama this afternoon.
Meanwhile President Mahinda Rajapkse has ordered the Inspector General of Police Mahinda Balasuriya to conduct an independent inquiry into the incident.