![Gossip - Lanka News [English]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMdjdmkZNNmQMdiyVyjHG0DAsid1JQzX2Wn_k0MMWpx93YaFp4Hv9rnCw1uuJZY1H60dquhLJCfg_uJg-gEz_FRlG07NUtWUslmZMhWhnOnm3dUim4hjUuNto_KPJrByj4iyXdSXuctY/s1600-r/GOSSIP-LANKA+LOGO.png)
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Addressing the media at SLFP headquarters, UPFA General Secretary and Environment and Renewable Energy Minister Susil Premjayantha said that the media had exaggerated the incident involving UNP Mayor of Bandarawela Municipal Council Daminda Wijesiri and UPFA member, Mithrapala Heenkenda. The minister alleged that Heenkenda had been attacked by a gang led by Wijesiri close to a polling booth without any provocation.
"Immediately after the incident, Heenkenda called me and then met me before going to Bandarawela police station to lodge a complaint. Heenkenda went there on a motor cycle with another person. I phoned OIC and requested him to accept Heenkanda’s complaint."
Minister Premjayantha said that he brought the incident to the notice of the IGP as well as the DIG in charge of the area.
The minister alleged that UNPers involved in the incident too, had rushed to the police station to lodge a complaint leading to another incident. The minister said: "The UNPers went on the rampage at the police station. In fact, Heenkenda was attacked twice, once near a polling booth and then within the police station."
The minister said that over 150 UNPers had accompanied the Mayor whereas Heenkenda went to police station with one person.
However, the UNP alleged that a large group of government supporters led by MP s Arundika Fernando and Sarana Gunawardena attacked UNPers at the police station. Wijesiri alleged that government supporters went on the rampage in spite of the police presence. The UNPer said that he along with several UNPers received injuries.
Minister Premjayantha said that in spite of the Opposition and the media working overtime to paint a bleak picture of the Uva Province in the run-up to saturday’s poll, there hadn’t been any serious incidents, except the Bandarawela clash which he blamed on the UNP.
by Shamindra Ferdinando
island.lk
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