Former Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekara, Provincial Councilor Nilantha Jayakody and Kahawatta Pradeshiya Sabha chairman Vajira Darshana, who were arrested over an election-related shooting incident in Kahawatta, have been further remanded until January 26.

The three UPFA politicians were charged with the shooting incident, which occurred on January 05 morning and resulted in the death of a political supporter who was decorating an election stage of Maithripala Sirisena in Kahawatta.

Pelmadulla Magistrate Dinesh Lakmal Perera ordered the suspects to be further remanded when the case was taken up today (20).  

However, the defence counsel had requested that his client, MP Jayasekara, be remanded at the Colombo Magazine Prison thereby providing him with an opportunity to attend parliamentary sessions.  

After considering the plea, the magistrate instructed relevant authorities to grant the request, Ada Derana reporter said.

On January 5, the Pelmadulla Magistrate issued an arrest warrant on Jayasekara over his alleged involvement in the shooting incident at a venue of an election rally of the Common Candidate in Kahawatta, Ratnapura.

He was subsequently arrested by police in Aluthgama on January 10 and remanded until January 20 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.