Police have arrested a former member of the Dodangoda Pradeshiya Sabha representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) over an alleged assault on a local government candidate of the National People’s Power (NPP).

The suspect was taken into custody by Dodangoda Police following an incident reported at around 4.45 p.m. on 29, at a funeral held in the Naehinna area of Dodangoda.

According to police, K.G. Wijeyaratne Banda, who is contesting as a list candidate of the NPP, was assaulted with a chair by Kumarasiri Jayasinghe, a former SJB member of the Dodangoda Pradeshiya Sabha, following a dispute that broke out at the event.

Wijeyaratne Banda, who sustained injuries in the assault, is currently receiving inpatient treatment at the Nagoda Hospital.