Supporters of Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake had commenced their election campaign rally on Friday morning from Bloemendhal Flats and had proceeded towards the Sugathadasa Stadium where unidentified gunmen opened fire at an election campaign rally opposite the St. Benedict’s College Grounds in Colombo.

The Police Media Spokesperson stated that an extensive police investigation is underway to locate the gunmen.

An eye-witness recalled:

A car came from behind and that it came in front of us and sprayed us with bullets.

UNP Colombo District Candidate, Ravi Karunanayake stated

I will solely hold this against the Rajapaksa faction because there is no other faction that would carry out such an attack and the foundation for this was created during Rajapaksa’s time and I would like to share these sentiments at this time.

He further stated that a bomb could explode at a stage in Kurunegala and say that they saved the country from terrorism and could further save the country from the UNP and President Maithripala Sirisena’s government.