Summary Younger brother of Sri Lankan president died after being attacked by a man wielding an axe.
COLOMBO (AFP) - The younger brother of Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena died in hospital Saturday after being attacked by a man wielding an axe two days earlier, police said.
Priyantha Sirisena, 40, suffered severe head injuries in his hometown of Polonnaruwa, 215 kilometres (134 miles) north-east of the capital Colombo, police said.
The local businessman s death came as the President was in China on a state visit.
Police said they arrested a man in connection with the attack and an investigation was underway.
The president s brother was flown to the capital for emergency treatment, but his head injuries were so severe that, despite surgery, he did not recover, doctors said.
Sirisena came to power following bitterly fought January presidential elections.
