(UPDATE) One person has been confirmed dead while at least 13 supporters of UNP Colombo District candidate Ravi Karunanayake have been hospitalised with injuries following a shooting incident at Bloemendhal Road, Colombo.
The group of UNP supporters were reportedly engaged in election-related campaigning in the Kotahena area when several unidentified individuals in two vehicles had opened fire at them and fled.
Twelve persons have been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital following the shooting incident, the Police Spokesman’s Office said.
Meanwhile the Director of the Colombo National Hospital Dr Anil Jasinghe says that one woman succumbed to injuries and that two others are in critical condition.
Police said the attackers sprayed bullets into the crowd just after Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake left the venue, marking the first major violence ahead of the August 17 parliamentary elections.
Kotahen Police is conducting an investigation into the incident.
