One person was killed and 12 were injured when unidentified gunmen shot at supporters of Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake in the northern part of the city on Friday.
Mr. Karunanayake, the United National Party candidate from Colombo electoral district, told The Hindu that he was nearby when the attack took place.
The gunmen came in two vehicles, a car and a van, and sprayed bullets into a crowd of 500 to 600 supporters, according to police spokesperson Ruwan Gunasekara. This is the first major incident of violence ahead of the August 17 parliamentary election.
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Though several suspects were being interrogated, no one had arrested yet, Mr. Gunasekara said, adding that the case had been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department.
Meanwhile, both the UNP and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party deplored the incident.
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In a statement, UNP general secretary Kabir Hashim said his party would not allow this type of “cowardly brutal attacks” to reverse the victory of good governance.
SLFP leader Dilan Perera leged that the incident was an outcome of two “underworld gangs” that were supporting Mr. Karunanayake.
The Finance Minister hit back, accusing former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his men of being behind the attack.