The staff nor security guards were involved in the fatal beating up of a 22-year-old identified as Sana, the hotel’s directors told the media yesterday (16).

A security guard who left the hotel around two months ago and by the name Buddhika, now hiring a three-wheeler in front of the hotel, was responsible, they said.

It was over a personal dispute, said the directors adding that relevant CCTV footage has been hand over to police.

Also made available to us, the footage shows:

- Buddhika hitting a friend of Sana, for allegedly having made fun at a woman in a van in front of the hotel.

- Sana smoking a cigarette near the van

- Argument between Sana and Buddhika

- Buddhika fatally beating up Sana

- A security guard of the hotel saying something to Buddhika, who then leaves in his three-wheeler

Also participating in the media briefing, Prof. Stanley Perera, a Sri Lankan with Australian citizenship, refuted allegations that hotel staff had killed the youth.

He said he was at the hotel when people of the area attacked the hotel, accusing it over the murder, and that he was very much shocked by the incident.

The hotel manager said around 25 foreigners were at the hotel at the time of the attack, which caused damage estimated at around Rs. 1.5 million.

He alleged a politician of the area was behind it, and upon inquiries, Sri Lanka Mirror identified him to be one Gamini Hettiarachchi.