Trade Union leader beaten to death

COLOMBO (News1st): The Chairman of the Lanka Self-Employed Professionals' National Three-Wheeler Federation Sunil Jayawardana was killed in an assault in Mirihana. The 53-year-old three-wheel driver was killed in an assault following a heated argument that broke out yesterday over the lease of a three-wheeler involving a leasing company, police said. The federation secretary Mahinda Kumara said that a group of 10 people had pulled him out of a three wheeler when he had been travelling with the victim. "The attack on us had been planned. They were carrying clubs. One of them was repeatedly shouting to beat us and kill us," Kumara said recalling the horrific ordeal. Asela Sampath, the convener of the Sri Lanka Restaurant Owners' Association, expressed deep regret over the incident stating that he had lost a "comrade". "He died after standing tall against the leasing mafia which has left the people completely helpless," Sampath said. He noted that the leasing company, which is not a leading firm, had not provided the relief introduced by the government. Eight suspects who were arrested in connection with the incident have been remanded until June 25. Jayawardana was set to contest the upcoming parliamentary election as an independent candidate.