Hambantota district UNP candidate Sajith Premadasa on Monday appealed to the Maha Nayayake’s to advise Minister Mahinda Rajapakse to refrain from violence in the Hambantota district. He sought the intervention of the prelates in view of the honorary title of Rohana Janaranja bestowed on the Minister by the religious leaders.

He also appealed to DIG Elections Gamini Navaratne to provide him with additional security following Sunday’s attack on his house allegedly by an armed Peoples Alliance gang.

He has also requested the Inspector General of Police Lucky Kodituwakku and the Commissioner of Elections to send an impartial police team to Hambantota to investigate Sundays shooting incident.

Sajith’s wife Jalani and some UNP activists who were standing at the gate to his Weerawila residence in Hambantota narrowly escaped death when the armed gang arriving in three wheel taxis had opened fire.

Sajith in his letter to Navaratne states:

"I am writing out of desperation and urgently at a time when there is escalating violence and atrocities committed in Hambantota during this Parliamentary Elections.

My supporters have been attacked mercilessly and their dignity destroyed. Our vehicles have been very badly damaged. My family has been repeatedly targeted by violence. Only the three police constables with me are armed. None of my supporters carry weapons and the security personnel in my house do not carry any weapons.

I humbly and urgently request that you provide me with additional security at least till the end of this Parliamentary Elections. I shall also be grateful to you, if you can arrange a police road barrier near my residence, as it was done during the last Elections. This should stop any unauthorised vehicles from attacking my residence again. It will be far too late to take any action, after a tragedy has taken place.

On Sunday my house was attacked and luckily my wife escaped death. I am sure you will be kind enough to take action on my request as soon as possible".