UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera today alleged that even VIP security personnel had taken part in the recent protest march against Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe in Matara, and that even army soldiers were attacked by protesters in the clash.

Speaking on the clash which erupted between UNP supporters on October 5 during a protest demanding the removal of Wickramasinghe from UNP leadership, he stated that several state employees were among those wounded from the incident.

The Parliamentarian stated that various pro-government media had reported the incident in a biased manner and that comments made by him regarding the clash were edited.

He claimed that Herman Gunrathne, the father of Provincial Councilor Maithri Gunarathne, who was arrested over a shooting incident at the protest, is a Presidential Advisor and that he had joined the UNP from the Hela Urumaya and is involved with the government again.

Samaraweera stated that there is no problem in arresting even his supporters, who he says were engaging in a peaceful march, if they had committed any wrongdoings.

However, a dispute which could have been resolved at the Mediation Board was ultimately dragged to the police on an order from “higher-ups,” he said, adding, that the government and also pro-government media had backed it.

He claimed that even the Matara Police Station in acting in regard to the incident after considering the news reported by these media organizations.