News
All’s well that ends well: Monitors, police say most peaceful post polls
Nearly two days after the conclusion of the Presidential hustings on Thursday there has been one killing (see box story) while a few minor incidents were reported from throughout the country, with independent polls observers and the police describing the situation as one of the most peaceful post election situations in recent times.
An estimated 71,000 police personnel, along with commandos from the Special Task Force (STF), maintained a round-the-clock vigil throughout the country.
Police units including special squads have been deployed at strategic locations in and around the Metropolis as well as in the outstations, to maintain law and order since the conclusion of Thursday’s presidential election, officials said.
Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) Executive Director, Keerthi Tennakoon told the Sunday Times that the post-polls scenario remained peaceful throughout the country, and attributed this to the efforts of the Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya, his staff and the police.
He added that only two minor incidents were reported from the Northern Province on polling day, apart from which there were no incidents reported from anywhere else in the country.
“In an apparent bid to scare off voters, unidentified persons flung two grenades at separate locations in Nelukulam-Vavuniya and at Alvai in Vadamaarachichi, but no one was injured and the polling continued uninterrupted,” Mr Tennakoon said.
He added that there were some 1,500 complaints and election related incidents during the run up to the polls, but thereafter it was peaceful.
He also welcomed the decision by the authorities to extend the post-poll police presence in the country, as it would discourage any would-be troublemakers.
Newly elected President Maithripala Sirisena, along with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, repeatedly called for calm and urged supporters to behave in a responsible and non-violent manner.
“Meanwhile, the pre-poll deployment of 71,000 police personnel will stay on to cover the visit of Pope Francis who is scheduled to arrive in the country on Tuesday, and also to discourage any post-election disturbances,” a senior policeman said yesterday.
He added that the armed policemen that include 5,000 commandos from the Special Task Force (STF), have been given strict directions to crack down severely on troublemakers and ensure a peaceful environment during the Papal visit.
Pope Francis will be in the country for two days when he will conduct an open air mass at Galle Face Green and at the Catholic shrine in Madu. He added that the lighting of crackers close to Galle Face Green has been outlawed and vehicles restricted from entering the area.
“Every individual arriving for the mass will be subject to a thorough body check, aided by police sniffer dogs and other electronic scanning devices,” the official added.
| One killed, three injured in attack on Sirisena supporters in ChilawBy Jude Samantha A supporter of President Maithripala Sirisena, Manjula Prasanna a father of three, has been brutally murdered in Bangadeniya in Chilaw, yesterday (10), Chilaw police said. Another three persons who also sustained injuries in the attack are being treated at Chilaw hospital. According to Chilaw police, two persons involved in the attack have been arrested. Police said that the victims were travelling from Bangadeniya junction to Kumbuttukuliya in a three-wheeler, when a group armed with swords and poles had attacked them. Of the two who were severely injured and rushed to Chilaw hospital, one died on admission. Police said initial investigations revealed that the deceased and the injured were United National Party supporters and had worked towards the victory of President Maithripala Sirisena. Chilaw police said the attackers were connected to the United People’s Freedom Alliance. Chilaw police are conducting further investigations. |