Gintota Clash Orchestrated to Capture Chairmanship

Violence erupted late in the night on Friday (17) in Gintota in the Galle District. Police investigation revealed the clash between two factions at Gintota had been masterminded by a former member of the Bope, Poddala Pradeshiya Sabha member, who is aspiring to be Chairman of the Bope, Poddala Pradeshiya Sabha . He had instigated the commotion through his supporters, using a motor accident as an excuse. Police investigations have revealed that he had been directly involved in the operation to burn houses and shops. Among those arrested was former Pradeshiya Sabha Member Mohamed Niyaz alias Kaif Hussain.

Different people expressed different opinion on this Gintota clash as follows:

CaFFE Executive Director Keerthi Tennakoon said, two of those involved in the attacks were Niyaz and Amila Nuwan, who are both friends and are contesting the Chairmanship of the Pradeshiya Sabha.
National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa stated that the tragedy triggered off due to the disagreements that Minister of Home Affairs Vajira Abeywardena had with a UNP Muslim Provincial Councillor.Further he said, that this was an effort to divert the attention of the people away from the Bonds scam and the recent petrol crisis and condemned the attacks unreservedly.

Joint Opposition and Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) Leader Dinesh Gunawardena said that there was a serious erosion of the law and order situation where the Police failed to take preventive action in time.

Meanwhile, the Joint Opposition yesterday blamed the Government for not having brought the law and order situation under firm control thereby leading to the Gintota violence in the Galle District late Friday night.