Lankan athlete assaulted, ruled out of SAF Games with injury

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Colombo, Aug 24 (UNI) Despite the elaborate security system, Sri Lanka's potential Gold medallist in marathon Dinesh Tharanga Kumar was assaulted by gangsters ruling out the athlete from the 10th South Asian Games with serious limb fractures.

In a shocking incident, Dinesh and his relative were attacked by six gangsters and they were beaten with clubs, according to local media reports.

The athlete has sustained serious fractures in his arms and legs and is recuperating at the Cololmbo National hospital.

The suspects have surrendered but the reason behind the assault was not known.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan army got embroiled in the ugly incident with claims that a certain Major, along with two of the culprits, had threatened Dinesh in the hospital. Incidentally, Dinesh has also served the army and some old enmity behind the incident is not ruled out, reports claim.

The Colombo Additional Magistrate has rejected Defence Attorney's plea for a bail for the major and others and ordered police custody for the accused.

The Lankan government has deployed more than 10,000 security personnel for the 10th SAF Games and checking identities and frisking are being carried out regularly. A number of security check posts have come up in the city as the government has decided not to take any chance.

Despite the arrangements, the threats are still there. A car bomb blast in the city claimed eight lives, forcing the South African cricket team to withdraw from a tri-series, also involving India, besides the hosts.

Earlier this week, 16kg of explosives was also recovered from an abandoned bicycle.

UNI AY PM BS1235

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