From Neminda Samarajeewa
Southern Province Health Minister I. Wijewantha and PA councillor Ajith Rajapakse were assaulted by the police during last week’s demonstration in Colombo against the slashing of funds for Provincial Councils, Lands and Land Development minister Danny Hittetiyage told the monthly meeting of the provincial council in Galle.

He said the provincial minister and the councillor had made an attempt to hand over a memorandum to the Prime Minister when they were assaulted by the police. However, later the memo was handed over to the premier’s secretary.

The police had maintained they were doing their duty as they were under instructions to not to allow the demonstrators to proceed beyond that point, Hettetiyage said.

He said that later they had met the President who had wanted the matter referred to the IGP.

He asked SPC Chairman Shan Wijelal de Silva to bring this incident to the notice of the Prime Minister.