31 May 2017 07:45 am
Two British nationals and Nepal national who were cycling in Haputale were admitted to the Diyathalawa Hospital after they were assaulted by a group of people on Sunday.
Police said the arrested suspects were remanded till June 1 after produced before the Bandarawela Magistrate Court.
Police arrested one suspect involved in the attack on Sunday while another 12 suspects and four suspects were arrested on Monday and Tuesday respectively after integrating the first suspect.
The tourists had arrived in Sri Lanka to take part in a mountain cycling tournament and had been staying at a hotel in Haputale. The foreigners had been on their way to Pitarathmale from the hotel when they were assaulted by a gang, who arrived in three-wheelers.
Police said cycles and mobile phones of the foreigners had been stolen by the gang who assaulted the foreigners with clubs and metal sticks.
Another group of people who were passing by had rescued the foreigners and had admitted them to the Hospital.
Police recovered stolen cycles and mobiles phones from the suspects’ possession.(DS)