I was carrying a toy pistol and rushed to the scene to protect the UNP MPs, the Hambantota Mayor Kavinda Eraj Feranado said today. A team of UNP MPs who were on an inspection tour of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport came under attack by unidentified goons yesterday.

 

Stones were pelted at the bus that the MPs Ajith P. Perera, Eran Wickremaratne, R. Yogarajan, Nalin Bandara and Ajith Manapperuma were traveling in. The MPs stated that they were threatened by a group and despite complaining to a high ranking police officer no action was taken. Then we went to the Hambantota Harbour where a gun wielding Hambantota Mayor Kavinda Fernando threatened us while a Police ASP and HQI looked on silently, Yogarajan said yesterday.

 

Addresing a press conference Fernando however claimed that he came to the scene to provide protection for the UNP MPs. I was bathing in the sea when I got to know that a group of UNP MPs who were in Mattala had come under attack, he added. He said that he was informed that the MPs were then going to the Hambantota Habour at which instance he went to give them protection.

 

When I went to the habour I saw a group of people including UNP supporters disturbing the MPs and I asked them to stop interrupting them, Fernando said. He stated that at that moment he grabbed the toy pistol of someone standing next to him in order to scare those who were surrounding the MPs away. Despite the Mayor’s claim many local newspapers have carried photos of him running with a pistol in his hand.