The assault took place at a public meeting at Natharama Vihara in Delwala to discuss a small hydropower plant being constructed by building a dam across Anda Dola in Delwala, Neluwa, Galle.

Piyasena Gamage and the district secretary had chaired the meeting.

Nettasinghe had been explaining the adverse effect on environment by the power plant, when some men grabbed him by the shirt collar and beat him up.