Third Ratwatte son to be arrested

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 December 2002, 17:57 GMT]
Mahen Ratwatte, third son of former Deputy Defence Minister Anurudha Ratwatte, is likely to be arrested any time in connection with the alleged assault on well known singer Sunil Perera in a five star hotel Saturday early morning around 1.30.a.m., police sources said.

The Police are on the trail of Mahen Ratwatte who is reported to have been evading arrest following the attack on Gypsies lead singer Sunil Perera, sources said.

Already General Ratwatte and his two sons Lohan and Chanuka have been indicted with the massacre of ten Muslim youths at Udathalawinne in Kandy district on the day of general election on December 05 last year.

The Police Sunday recorded the statement of the wife of Mahen Ratwatte over the alleged assault of singer Sunil Perera. She had stated that she was with her husband at the scene. However she did not see her husband assaulting singer Sunil Perera. Her husband took Sunil Perera to the restroom (bathroom), she told the police. Another person who was also at the scene of assault is also reported to be absconding, police sources said.

According to those present at the scene of assault, singer Sunil Perera who sang popular baila songs which referred to politicians and ridiculed their way of life, had added impromptu lines about politicians who were taken in helicopters to face murder charges. After his performance while Sunil Perera was having his dinner Mahen Ratwatte had come to him and led him to the restroom where the alleged assault took place, sources said.