Hambantota ‘toy pistol’ mayor surrenders, placed under arrest
Tuesday, 23 December 2014 01:33
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Hambantota Mayor Eraj Fernando who surrendered to the police over the attack on a troupe of street artistes was arrested yesterday.
Fernando of ‘toy pistol’ fame, had been accused of being involved in the attack on Sunday (21).
A group of activists who, together with some opposition members, were to stage a street drama in Hambantota, were attacked last morning.
Several activists were assaulted during the incident and at least one person sustained serious injuries.
Human Rights activist Britto Fernando said that local area government politician and Mayor Eraj Fernando approached the activists when they were about to begin the street drama and threatened to kill them.
Britto Fernando said that the Mayor had then attempted to drag away one of the activists saying he will not allow them to conduct any activities against President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
“Eraj had a pistol in his hand when he threatened us,” Britto Fernando added.
He said that a person who was with the activists was brutally assaulted when he had attempted to take photographs of the attackers. (Colombo Gazette)
