Death toll from Sri Lanka's election shootout rises to 4

Death toll from Sri Lanka's shooting incident that happened during the local government elections has risen to four as one more person succumbed to their injuries in hospital on Monday, police said here. The victim was hospitalized in Colombo following a shootout that killed a presidential advisor and critically injured a member of parliament on Saturday. Presidential advisor and former Member of Parliament (MP) Baratha Lakshman Premachandra and two of his supporters were allegedly shot dead on Saturday by the supporters of MP Duminda Silva also of the ruling party. Reasons behind the fighting between two members of the same party remain hazy but local media reported that the Criminal Investigation Department has taken over investigations and President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered a report to be submitted to him. Premachandra's funeral would be held on Wednesday and security would be provided to ensure that there were no further incidents, Police Spokesman Maxi Proctor assured in an interview with Xinhua. Police have not been able to identify the weapons used in the attack but eye witnesses say that it was Silva's supporters that had attacked first. Despite the shootout the ruling party, United People's Freedom Alliance recorded a resounding win securing 21 out of 23 local government bodies at the election.