Properties of more Sri Lankan politicians damaged in arson attacks

Colombo, May 11 (UNI) The properties of more politicians were damaged in arson attacks on Tuesday night, including former Minister Johnston Fernando’s house in Thalangama, on the outskirts of Colombo, that was attacked and set on fire by angry mobs.
The MP’s farm in Laggala, in central province, was also attacked and set on fire. The protesters who attacked the farm had released the animals into the wild before the attack.
According to reports, a mob had also inspected the Umandhava Buddhist University on rumours that the MP had sought refuge there.
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP U.K. Sumith’s house in Kurunegala in north-western Sri Lanka was also attacked and set on fire.
SLPP MP Premnath C Dolawatte’s house in Colombo was also attacked by a group on Tuesday.
The farming warehouse of MP Maheepala Herath in the Polonnaruwa area was set on fire by a mob. The group had also taken 200 bags of paddy and 400 bags of urea from the warehouse.
A group had also attacked the Carlton Pre-school in Tangalle.
Two hotels allegedly owned by Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the son of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, have also been attacked and set on fire in the Medilla and Gongala areas, reports said.
The office of former Environment Minister Hafeez Nazeer Ahamed in Eravur was set on fire by protesters.
Sri Lankan musician Iraj Weeraratne’s house in Polhengoda was also attacked by a mob.
The office of the Avante Garde security services in Pita Kotte was attacked with stones.
The houses of several provincial politicians, including Upali Kodikkara, was attacked and set on fire by angry mobs.
Several more incidents of violence were reported across the country on Tuesday night.
Six people were injured after being shot for attempting to attack the house of the Rathgama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman. The individuals had been shot by people who were inside the house of the Rathgama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman and have been hospitalised.
A group of people had attacked a jeep carrying Army personnel and two Police officers that had attempted to tow away a bus that had been attacked by the public in the Angoda area.
The group had attempted to set fire to the bus along with the two Police officers, following which the office in charge of Mulleriyawa Police arrived at the location, but the public attempted to set fire to his jeep as well.
The Police thereafter fired into the air to disperse a group. One person who was injured in the incident was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital.
In another incident, a mob ransacked a prominent hotel situated in Negombo, which was destroyed by an angry mob on Monday night.
A tense situation was later reported in the vicinity of the hotel after a group had attacked houses and shops in the area, later setting fire to vehicles and some shops.
However, several religious leaders intervened and contained the tense situation, while video footage has also been released of the attackers looting the shops that were attacked.
The military also stepped in vowing to protect the area. Residents have revealed that people from outside had arrived and carried out the attack.
A bus was also attacked and set on fire by a group in the Seeduwa area on Tuesday night.