Fire for fire: Public retaliation leaves State property in ashes

It was not only politicians’ houses that were gutted by fire in the attacks on Monday and Tuesday--State property too was damaged with a number of buildings and vehicles set on fire, destroyed, or looted.

The Moratuwa Municipal Council experienced heavy losses due to 11 vehicles going up in flames during the unrest. According to the Moratuwa Police, two fire engines and a JCB backhoe loader were also damaged after being pelted with stones. Among the vehicles burned and now beyond use are four cabs, one garbage truck and four three wheelers belonging to the MC.

Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando's office was heavily damaged, along with several other offices within the Municipal Council premises.

Among damaged vehicles in Colombo city, some toppled, some dumped in the Beira Lake, were vehicles belonging to local councils. One such was a cab bearing the state logo and the words Nawalapitiya Pradeshiya Sabha.

Public Administration Ministry Secretary J. J. Ratnasiri said they were assisting the Police to assess the total damage to state property.

“Some vehicles belonging to local authorities are insured and some are not. Some vehicles are rented ones,” he said.

Sri Lanka Transport

Board Chairman

Kingsley Ranawaka said about ten SLTB buses were damaged with most having their glasses shattered during the unrest. Majority of the buses gutted by fire were private buses.