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Galle cricket president killed: reports

Local Sri Lankan media reports suggest controversial Galle District Cricket Association president H.G. Premasiri was assassinated.

Members of the Sri Lankan cricket team at the Galle cricket stadium
Local media reports suggest the Galle District Cricket Association president has been assassinated. (AAP)

The president of the Galle District Cricket Association has been assassinated, according to local media reports.

Just a week after after the organisation hosted the second Test between Sri Lanka and Australia at their ground, Premasiri Halambage was shot in his car beside his young son.

Premasiri was was rushed to hospital but did not survive, while it's unknown whether his son was hurt in the attack.

Premasiri was only appointed as the association's president last month in controversial circumstances.

Members were said to have been locked out of the Galle International Cricket Stadium by the incumbent committee when the vote was scheduled to take place, and Premasiri was elected to power outside of the ground.

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His appointment was challenged by Sri Lanka Cricket, however any moves for a new vote to take place on August 27 were temporarily blocked by the courts just days ago.

Premasiri was a well-known businessman who played 70 first class matches.

His brother is believed to have been killed in similar circumstances in 2011 after an argument between two families.

Police are yet to identify Premasiri's attackers, however they believe two fled the scene in a white car.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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