COLOMBO, July 10, Reuter: A government minister was slightly wounded when a gunmen opened at a political rally in north western Sri Lanka, police said on Sunday.

The attack occurred while north- western province Chief Minister Jaya wicker Perera was addressing a ruling party meeting at Katugampola, near Kurunegala, on Saturday.

“Perera was slightly grazed in the skin, Fisheries Minister Festus Perera who was also on the podium was unhurt”, a police official said. The gunmen, believed to be from a southern based Marxist group, escaped.

Ministers have been addressing meetings in the area to support the United National Independence Party candidate in the Katugam  pola Parliamentary by-election on July 14.

Article extracted from this publication >> July 15, 1988