Two persons, including a woman, were killed when a group on motorbikes had opened fire at a JVP meeting, at Katuwanam, in Hambantota last night.
Two persons, including a woman, were killed when a group on motorbikes had opened fire at a JVP meeting, at Katuwanam, in Hambantota last night.
One of the deceased had been identified as Cyril Ranjith, a JVP party member from Hendiwatte in Katuwana.
The meeting was held at his homestead and was addressed by JVP Central Committee member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. The woman had been shot dead while she was seated at the meeting. Her identity had not been established at the time of going to press.
JVP Propaganda Secretary MP Vijitha Herath said that the meeting commenced around 6.30 p.m. and Dr. Jayatissa was delivering a speech on imperialist invasion and the collapse of the economy. The meeting was attended by around 80 party members and civil society participants. Around 7.00 p.m. four motor bikes had arrived there and the riders had opened fire at the meeting. The attackers had used T 56 automatic rifles.
Unconfirmed reports said around 12 had been injured in the shooting and had been admitted to the Katuwana and Matara Hospitals.
Police spokesman Superintendent Ajith Rohana said only one other person, a 25-year-old male, was critically injured in the shooting which occurred on the Julangpitiya Road in Katuwana, close to Embilipitiya.
The bodies of the two victims were lying at the Katuwana Hospital, he said.
(Island)