Janaka Ranawaka remanded

The Mayor of the Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, Janaka Ranawaka, who was arrested this morning for allegedly assaulting the Opposition Leader of the Municipal Council, has been remanded until May 11 by the Hulftsdorp Magistrate court.

Ranawaka was arrested by police following a complaint made by the Opposition Leader Sugath Appuhamy to Welikada Police.

UNP’s Appuhamy, who had been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital, had filed a complaint claiming he was attacked by a group including Ranawaka due to a demonstration staged yesterday against alleged corruption within the council.  

Appuhamy and several opposition councilors were reportedly engaged in the demonstration outside the Council premises when a group led by the Mayor and other UPFA councilors had arrived there, resulting in the exchange of blows.

However, police today also arrested Appuhamy based on a complaint against him made by the Mayor.

Welikada Police had received three separate complaints since yesterday’s incident including from the Opposition Leader, UPFA Councillor Premalal Athukorala and Mayor Janaka Ranawaka.