COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena’s brother, Priyantha Sirisena, died on Saturday of injuries he suffered in an axe attack two days ago.

Forty year old Priyantha, who was in sand mining business in his native Polonnaruwa district, was attacked with an axe by one Don Ishara

Lakmal Saputhanthri (34) following an altercation. Saputhanthri later surrendered to the police.

Priyantha, who was hit in the head, was rushed to the hospital and airlifted to Colombo subsequently.

President Sirisena was in China on a state visit when the attack on his brother occurred. He is expected to be here in time for the funeral on Monday.

CondoleNCEs: The Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan in Colombo, Dr. Sarfraz Sipra, offered condolences on behalf of the people and the government of Pakistan to the bereaved family.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play