Udapalatha PS chairman hospitalized following tense situation

COLOMBO (News 1^st) The Chairman and the Opposition Leader of the Gampola Udapalatha Pradeshiya Sabha were hospitalized following an altercation that took place this morning when the council convened. Before the Pradeshiya Sabha session convened, Opposition members engaged in a protest opposite the council claiming that sufficent allocations had not been made for them to engage in development activities. While the protest was taking place outside, the Council convened under the auspices of the Chairman D. Gunasena. However, a tense situation took place due to an issue over the allocation of seats in the Opposition. During the altercation, the Chairman was attacked with a water bottle. The Police had to be called in to control this uneasy situation which lasted for more than an hour, yet their attempts were unsuccessful. Thereafter, the Chairman was compelled to postpone council session. The injured Chairman was rushed to the Meda Gampola Hospital under police protection. Following the incident Opposition Leader Dharmasiri Agalawatte was hospitalized as he claimed to have suffered a heart attack. D. Gunasena, the Chairman of the Udapalatha Pradeshiya Sabha contested the election as a member of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, he was appointed as Chairman with the assistance of the United National Party. Therefore, the opposition is against the Chairman and all three Pradeshiya Sabha Sessions held so far were postponed due to similar incidents.