One killed, 13 injured in shooting at Kotahena

31 Jul 2015 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

In the first major act of violence ahead of the August 17 election, a 42-year-old woman was shot dead and 13 others injured when some unidentified gunmen fired at hundreds of people led by Minister Ravi Karunanayake on election campaigning along Bloemendhal Road, Kotahena this morning, police said.

Preliminary investigations had revealed that the car carrying four gunmen had blocked the road and opened fire at his supporters who were distributing leaflets near the St. Benedict’s College Grounds at Bloemendhal.

At the time of the shooting one group of supporters were walking towards Bloemendhal while the other group led by Minister Karunanayake were walking in the opposite direction.

“The gunmen were seen using T-56 weapons and fled the scene seconds after firing at the crowd,” a witness said.

Minister Karunanayake told a media conference that some 600 of his supporters were taking part in the election campaigning at the time of the incident.

Those injured were rushed to the Colombo National Hospital and two of them were in a critical condition.

Soon after the shooting, Police assisted by Special Task Force personnel cordoned off the area in a search for the attackers.

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One killed, 13 injured in shooting at Kotahena

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