Daily NEWS Srilanka

A debatable issue surfaced between humanism and political tussle when Mahinda supporters began their Walk from Peradeniya yesterday. At a moment when all roads were blocked due to this 'Pada Yathra' when the protestors were were continuing their Walk, a particular ambulance belonging to a private institution ignoring the Walk had sounded the siren and tooted the horn and
had tried to move at a relatively fast speed.

What the driver had said was, "give us room to take a patient". Protestors who were aware of a background where restrictions were created by the government for the Walk even from day-before-yesterday thought that this incident too was an underhand act launched to sabotage the 'Pada Yathra'.  Their suspicions were further escalated when the back door of the ambulance was opened and no patient was to be seen there. But what the driver had said was that since they were going to fetch a patient and therefore actually there would be no issue. At this point there erupted an unbelievable dissension between humanism and Politics. It is of course true that if a serious patient was the case, that patient would be deprived of medical treatment at the proper hour because of a Walk such as this.

If on the other hand the ambulance was sent with the motive of spoiling proceedings of the Walk, it would no doubt be a 'fine strategy'. In such a case, ideas would spring up why that an imposter in the form of a patient was not sent to erase any doubts in this instance. Anyhow launching an attack on this occasion is of course something that cannot be approved as such.

The vehicle belonged to a private institution and the driver Ruwan Gunatilleka and attendant Lakshitha Kelum had complained to Peradeniya Police that their vehicle was damaged by the demonstrators and that even side-mirrors had been broken. So far no suspect has been taken into custody. The video of the incident, from below