Nine in Pottuvil monk’s attack arrested

Nine suspects involved in the attack on Udalawatte Rathanapriya Thera, who was said to be meditating in a cave in Pottuvil Muhudu Maha Vihara, were arrested by the

Pottuvil Police yesterday (2). Eastern Province Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Ajith Rohana said that the arrested suspects were fishermen who are the residents of Pottuvil. SDIG Rohana said that these suspects would be produced for an identification parade.

An investigation was conducted under the direction of an Assistant Superintendent of Police regarding this attack. It has been found that the attack was based on a personal dispute.

The attack took place on July 28. The Buddhist monk who was injured in the attack, was admitted to Pottuvil Hospital and was transferred to Ampara Hospital for further treatment. The Police said that he was not seriously injured. He has complained to the Police that seven persons attacked him with an oar and he ran away from the place for safety and hid under a kohomba tree. He also told the Police that he had described the mishap to Musharaff, Member of Parliament and Rahim, the former Pottuvil Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman.

The Thera told the Police that those who attacked him had stolen a mobile phone worth Rs.57,000 belonging to him. During the investigation, the Police found the mobile phone.

The complaint said that seven people attacked him, but the investigation revealed that more people were involved, so the Police said that everyone was arrested.