A large number of supporters of parliamentarian Duminda Silva, who is being treated at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital since the 8th to date, are also housed in the hospital for their safety, hospital sources said.

The source also said that the supporters were housed in the doctors’ rest room until the 11th and machines had been set up to provide food and drinks to them.

He said that they were finally removed from the hospital building on the 11th following protests by the hospital staff and that the suspects and weapons related to the murder in Mulleriyawa on the 8th may have taken into custody afterwards.

The Police Spokesperson said on the 11th that Duminda Silva’s supporters were completely removed from the hospital premises by then.

Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital sources said that the hospital staff was not allowed in to the ICU by Duminda Silva’s supporters and that they also check the hospital staff reporting to work everyday.

Meanwhile, the source said a hospital employee from the Kotikawatte area had been asked not to report to work since Silva’s supporters were suspicious over him.

A senior official from the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital said that hospital car park that earned Rs. 25,000 every day has been closed done due to security concerns over Silva’s supporters.

Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital Director, Dr. S.A.K. Gamage said the car park was shut down for the protection of the hospital staff and the patients, but that the car park had been re-opened from the 13th. The hospital employee had been granted leave since he had requested for some time off for his protection.

However, hospital sources said the car park was not re-opened even by the 13th evening.

-Ravaya