• Nearly 900 arrested over recent violence
• Public provide over 475 pictures, 70 videos to police

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

Eight persons including Mayor of Moratuwa Saman Lal Fernando and Nawa Sinhale National Organisation head Suresh Priyasad, alias Dan Priyasad have been arrested by the CID yesterday in connection with the incidents which took place at Kollupitiya and Galle Face Green on May 9.   

Seethawakapura PS Chairman Jayantha Rohana and Kelaniya PS member Manjula Prasanna were also arrested by the CID in connection with the incident.   The Attorney General on Monday directed the IGP and the Senior DIG in charge of the CID to immediately arrest and produce 22 persons, including MPs Johnston Fernando, Sanath Nishantha, Sanjeewa Edirimanne and Milan Jayatilleke and Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Thennakoon, in connection with the attack on the peaceful protests at Galle Face and opposite Temple Trees.   
Accordingly the CID arrested five persons including MPs Sanath Nishantha, Milan Jayatilleke, former provincial councilor Amal Silva and two others over the incident. Three of them except the MPs were remanded. The MPs were to be produced in court yesterday.   

The CID also recorded over 8 hour long statement from the Western Province Senior DIG over the matter.   Meanwhile, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that a total of 887 people have been arrested so far in connection with the violent incidents reported from across the country following the mob attack on the peaceful, unarmed protesters in Kollupitiya and Galle Face on May 9.   

He said 412 of them have been remanded after being produced in courts while 364 persons have been released on bail.  He said the police arrested 219 persons in connection with the violent incidents on Tuesday alone and 57 of them were remanded while 68 persons were released on bail.   

Meanwhile, the spokesman said that the police hotline and mobile numbers with Whatsapp facility and the ‘telligp’ email introduced to provide the public over information about recent violent incidents, the police have received over 600 alerts.   

He said the information provided  had more than 475 pictures of mob attacks and 70 video clips.   

He said the information has been forwarded to the respective police stations and special police units including the CID to take necessary legal action.