Assailant of Baddegama PS Deputy Chairman still at large – Poddala Police

The assailant of Baddegama Pradeshiya Sabha Deputy Chairman Journalist Saman C. Liyanage, who had assaulted the latter on two different occasions on Friday night, is evading arrest according to the Poddala Police.
The Deputy Chairman Saman C. Liyanage is currently receiving treatment at the Galle National Hospital after he was hospitalized on Friday night following the attack by an SJB candidate, who lost whilst contesting to the Baddegama Pradeshiya Sabha during the last local government election.   
The incident occurred on October 24th when the Deputy Chairman had gone to a funeral parlor in the area with his wife to pay last respects to a deceased resident. The assailant who was present at the funeral parlor had brushed against the Deputy Chairman and had assaulted him.   
Liyanage and his wife had then left the scene and were returning home, when they were confronted by a group of men led by the assailant in Godakanda area of Baddegama, who had assaulted the former for the second time.   
Speaking to Daily Mirror Deputy Chairman Saman C. Liyanage said that the rival politician had threatened him with death whilst beating him on his face and chest saying, “he would be killed if the assailant would end up in seven prisons”.   
Liyanage had lodged a complaint with the Poddala Police regarding the attack.   
When contacted, the Poddala Police said that they had launched an investigation into the incident and had visited the suspect’s house to learn the latter had fled the area.   
Saman C. Liyanage, who contested the Baddegama Pradeshiya Sabha from the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, had supported the formation of a NPP local government body in Baddegama. He was a former staff journalist of the Ravaya newspaper.