State Minister Arundhika's son arrested over Uni attack

COLOMBO (News 1st): The son of State Minister Arundika Fernando has been arrested in connection with the incident where a group of 4th-year students attached to the Ragama Medical Faculty was assaulted on Wednesday (Feb. 2). The 23-year-old suspect was a resident of the Dankotuwa area in Walawwatta and he was arrested after surrendering to the Ragama Police through a lawyer on Wednesday, Sri Lanka Police said on Thursday (Feb. 3). Police also seized a luxury vehicle in the Kalubowila area, which was used in the attack and a total of seven suspects have been arrested so far in connection with the incident. According to Police, State Minister Arundika Fernando's son will be produced before the Welisara Magistrate's Court for an identification parade. Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Ministry of Coconut Industries has instructed officials to conduct a preliminary investigation into the incident where a vehicle belonging to the Coconut Development Authority was allegedly used to carry out the assault at students of the Ragama Medical Faculty. The Coconut Development Authority has been informed to submit a report in this regard, adding that the car used in the attack belonged to the Coconut Development Authority, Tissa Hewawitharana, the Secretary to the Ministry of Coconut Industries told News 1st on Thursday (Feb. 3). According to Hewawitharana, the driver of the vehicle was not a driver attached to the Coconut Development Authority, but a personal staff driver of the State Minister. Police noted that the attack has been carried out based on a ragging incident. Meanwhile, a preliminary investigation has been launched into the incident. at the university level. Two police teams have been deployed to arrest the other suspects involved in the incident, Senior Police Spokesperson Senior DIG Ajith Rohana said.