Priyantha Sirisena’s attacker remanded

The suspect who was arrested last night for attacking the President’s brother Priyantha Sirisena with an axe, has been remanded until the 8th of April by the Polonnaruwa Magistrate’s Court.

Don Ishara Lakmal Saputhanthri was arrested after he surrendered to Bakamuna Police following the incident and produced before the court today (27).

Police said that during interrogations, the suspect revealed that the crime was committed in retribution as Priyantha had yelled at his parents using foul language.

Saputhanthri, 34, had stated that he hid and waited for Priyantha, also known as Weli Raju, before attacking him with the axe to the back of the head, police said.

Meanwhile police have recovered the weapon used by the suspects from near the scene of the crime in Hathare Ela, Bendiwewa. Both the suspect and the axe were produced before the Polonnaruwa Court today.

Priyantha, who had suffered serious injuries from the attack, is currently receiving treatment in the ICU of a private hospital in Colombo while he has reportedly undergone surgery.

Police spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara stated that a special investigation into the incident is ongoing, led by the Polonnaruwa Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP).  

Three special police teams have been deployed to the scene of the crime last night in order to carry out investigations.

Priyantha Sirisena who was admitted to the Polonnaruwa Hospital following the alleged attack was airlifted to a private hospital in Colombo yesterday.

Priyantha, a businessman predominantly engaged in sand mining, is a younger brother of President Sirisena, who is currently on a four-day state visit to China.