Tensions erupt in Nawalapitiya as a defeated local council candidate is hospitalized after an alleged assault linked to an internal Samagi Jana Balawegaya power dispute involving support for the National People’s Power.
A political clash in Nawalapitiya has escalated into violence, with the police launching an investigation into an alleged assault on a defeated candidate following the municipal council elections. The incident reportedly took place early on the 23rd in the heart of Nawalapitiya town.
Laksiri Wimalaratne, who contested and lost the Nawalapitiya Municipal Council election from the Gondenawa division, is currently receiving treatment at the Nawalapitiya District General Hospital after sustaining injuries in the attack. According to a formal police complaint, the attacker was identified as Uditha Indika Ganhewa—an individual appointed from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) list to the Nawalapitiya Municipal Council.
Tensions reportedly flared after Laksiri and Ganhewa disagreed over a covert political deal. Ganhewa, alongside another SJB council member, had allegedly held a secret meeting to support the National People’s Power (NPP) in securing control of the Nawalapitiya council. The dispute allegedly turned violent when Wimalaratne confronted Ganhewa over the rumored alliance.
The accused, Ganhewa, is a close relative of SJB Nawalapitiya Electoral Organizer Sasanka Sampath Sanjeewa, who appointed him to the council. Responding to the allegations, Mr. Sanjeewa denied that any discussions were held with the NPP and claimed the conflict arose from a personal disagreement unrelated to party politics.
Police are continuing their investigation, and efforts are underway to arrest the suspect as the fallout exposes deeper fractures within the SJB ranks in Nawalapitiya.
