Protetors have alleged that the shooting at Weliweriya which killed three people and injured 31 others on August 1, 2013, involved 'a mercenary army' in addition to the regular troops.

The protests demanding clean water to several villages including Rathupaswala turned deadly that Thursday afternoon when the army shot at the protestors in the small town in Gampaha District.

The Convener of the Siyana Water Protection People's Organization, Pramitha Hettiarachchi alleged that the mercenaries were used by wealthy individuals to get their needs done, BBC Sandeshaya reported.

A protest was held at Weliweriya yesterday to demand justice for the people who had died.

Minister John Amaratunge who arrived at the town with Minister Karu Jayasuriya, promised that the issues of the people will be solved in three months, BBC Sandeshaya said.

Amaratunge also has said that the former government carried out media circuses instead of providing clean water to the people.