Peraliya shooting incident: Three surrender

by Jayampathy Jayasinghe

The three suspects wanted by the police in connection with the shooting incident at Peraliya in Hikkaduwa prior to the Local Government elections where the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) candidate Geeth Gunesekera's brother Nadith Gunesekera and a supporter were shot dead have surrendered to the Balapitiya Magistrate courts, police sources told the Sunday Observer.

The shooting incident occurred at Peraliya on March 4 around 6.30.p.m when Geeth Gunesekera, his brother Nadith Gunesekera and supporters were proceeding to Rathgama in a car after addressing several political meetings in Ambalangoda.

Two persons on a motor-cycle who followed their vehicle had opened fire at them near the tsunami memorial, police said.

Geeth Gunesekera and three other supporters who sustained grievous injuries following the shooting were admitted to the Karapitiya Teaching hospital.

The shooting was allegedly due to previous enmity between the UPFA groups contesting the Hikkaduwa Pradeshiya Sabha Local Government elections, police said. IGP Mahinda Balasuriya has ordered SSP Galle Division Keerthi de Silva to conduct investigations.