United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Hambantota district MP Namal Rajapaksa, Joint Opposition (JO) MP D.V. Chanaka, Provincial Councilor Sampath Atukorala and five others arrested over the incident in Hambantota on last week were released on bail this morning.

Thirty-two others arrested over the incident, including MP Prasanna Ranaweera, PC members Upali Kodikara and Retired Major General Ajith Prasanna were further remanded till October 30 by the Hambantota Magistrate.

Hambantota district MP Namal Rajapaksa and his JO associates were arrested on October 10 for violating a court order preventing the demonstration, causing damage to public property, obstructing police duties and injuring two police officers.

The JO members were protesting what they term a ‘selling of national assets’ viz. the Mattala Airport and the Hambantota Port to China and India respectively.