Attacks on Wimal faction continue

The JVP’s internal battle is getting more violent and anyone having connections with dissident leader Wimal Weerawansa is in for trouble.

Yesterday the Patriotic National Movement reported that its Treasurer Dr. Sumith Vanniarachchi of Kandy, who is also the Treasurer of the Mavubima Lanka Foundation, had been assaulted by a JVP Provincial Council member and a group of JVP activists and warded at the Peradeniya Hospital.

A media release from PNM president Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara said Dr. Sumith Vanniarachchi, a veterinary surgeon, had given a tea party to Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa and the group of 10 dissident JVP parliamentarians at his residence at Balagolla, Digana after they had worshipped at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. "This act would have provoked the JVP to attack the social activist Dr. Sumith Vanniarachchi."

Dr. Amarasekera said the conspiracy to expel Wimal Weerawansa from the JVP had led to a spell of ugly incidents. The first such brutal attack had been in Bandaragama on April 17, where the Kalutara District Executive Committee member Hemantha Perera was attacked.

He said it was a tragic and a dangerous situation that the JVP was facing and the conspirators were trying to destroy the party with such ugly incidents.

The PNM has requested the Inspector General of Police to take action against those who assaulted Dr. Vanniarachchi.