Dep. Minister arrested over Kahawatta shooting [January 10 2015]

Police arrested absconding Deputy Minister of Power and Energy Premalal Jayasekara alias Choka Malli this morning, in connection with the shooting that led to a death of a New Democratic Front supporter in Kahawatta.

A special police team raided a house in Beruwala on a tip off and nabbed the UPFA politician who was hiding there, Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said.

The Deputy Minister along with several others were at large following a brawl that took place in Kahawatta between the supporters of the NDF and UPFA last week that led to a shooting incident.

An armed group stormed in eight vehicles opened fire at about 200 NDF supporters who were busy engaged in setting up a stage for an up coming election rally for the common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

Several sustained serious injuries including the Chairman of Kahawatta Trade Association Shantha Dodamgoda, who succumbed to his wounds on the election day.

Pelmadulla Magistrate issued warrants to arrest the absconding Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekara, Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councillor Aruna Nilantha and Kahawatta Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Vajira Dharshana in connection with the shooting incident.

The suspect was produced before Pelmadulla Magistrate today, and remanded until January 12.

Kahawatta incident entered into records as the only man slaughter reported in the 2015 Presidential Election campaign, the police said.