Colombo, Nov 24, : An angry group of residents in the Eastern City of Kinniya, Trincomalee attacked a house of the area parliamentarian, causing extensive damages.They also protested against blocking public roads after a ferry carrying mostly schoolchildren was towed off the road, killing six people, including four children. Kuringankerni village residents attacked the house of MP M.S.Thowfeek, who was present at the April opening ceremony to rebuild the bridge across Kinniya’s lagoon where the ferry capsized on Tuesday morning, was also there.Despite the fact that the opening ceremony was held in April, no construction had begun.
Four children were among the dead.They were going to school.
Among those who died were a mother and her two daughters, aged six and three, and two sisters, aged 6 and 8.
Additionally, 20 children, including 12 children, were also on the capsized ferry.They were rushed to Kinniya hospital where they were receiving treatment.
People also protested on public roads, burning tires and blocking access, and complained that politicians should shoulder the responsibility for the deaths.
The bridge linking Kuringankerni with Kinniya, a nearby city, was built in 1976.However, it was not rebuilt.
People have been crossing the lagoon using a temporary ferry that they had made.Although an opening ceremony was held in April to open the bridge, work had not begun.
Rauf Hakeem, an opposition MP, complained Wednesday that the ferry used without any standard was not allowed to be used without permission.”This tragedy occurred because a ferry with no safety was allowed by the relevant authority to be operated.”
Highway Minister Johnston Fernando stated in Parliament that he had directed the Inspector General Of Police (IGP), to open an investigation, take legal action against the ferry service operators, and bring them to trial for murder.He also stated that the ferry service’s operators had fled the region.
sfl/shs #ferry #tradegy #angry #attack
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