A municipal council member from Tangalle was arrested on Saturday (21) for allegedly assaulting the Chief Incumbent of the Jayasumanaramaya Temple in Annapitiya, Tangalle, and another individual.

According to the police, the assault occurred after a dispute over a lack of payment for a dance troupe that participated in a religious procession at the temple on September 3rd. The suspect councilor had served as an organizer for the procession.

The 42-year-old councilor, who represents the United National Party (UNP) on the Tangalle Municipal Council, was produced before the Tangalle Magistrate's Court and remanded until October 1st.

A team of officers, including Tangalle Headquarters Chief Inspector Kapila Senapathi de Silva, is conducting further investigations into the incident under the direction of Tangalle Division Senior Superintendent of Police Nipuna Dehigama.