A video showing an incident that occurred at a UPFA election rally held in Akuressa yesterday attended by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has started going viral in the internet.

The incident occurred on Tuesday during a United Peoples Freedom Alliance election rally held at the premise of Akuressa bus terminal.

Mr. Rajapaksa, who was on his way towards the stage, was seen moving towards a supporter in an irritated manner.

Security guards pulled Mr. Rajapaksa away to prevent what seemed like a fist attack by him towards the supporter. The former President got on to the stage after the brief encounter.

Clarifying the incident where the ex-president seemed to be moving toward a supporter angrily, his Spokesman Rohan Weliwita said the particular supporter was under the influence of liquor and Mr. Rajapaksa had only attempted to release himself from the supporter’s grip.

Mr. Weliwita said there was no adequate security provided for Mr. Rajapaksa and also some elements were sending drunken men to the rallies of Mr. Rajapaksa to cause obstructions.

“At the Akuressa rally, a drunkard attempted to grasp Mr. Rajapaksa’s hand. When he grasped both hands, Mr. Rajapaksa freed them from him. Though the former President was provided security personnel, they have not even given other facilities such as mobile phones or vehicles. If adequate security was provided, these incidents would not occur,” he said.      

He urged Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to reveal the models of the vehicles and their numbers if Mr. Rajapaksa’s security detail had been provided with vehicles as claimed. (Lahiru Pothmulla)