Polls DIG assures peaceful polls in the east

By Shelton Hettiarachchi

The heavy presence of security forces personnel in the Eastern Province has helped significantly curb election-related violence, Deputy Inspector General Gamini Nawaratne, who is in charge of polls security, said.

Addressing a media conference in Nuwara Eliya on Friday, the DIG said that all necessary security measures for the May 10 elections had been taken to ensure the conduct of a free and fair poll.

Asked about the presence of armed groups in the province, the DIG admitted that there were a few incidents of violence but said he was confident that the eastern polls would be more peaceful than elections held in other parts of the country.

He also called upon the media to use the word ‘violence’ carefully and within the right context because the misuse of the word could create panic among the people.

The DIG said the elections were being monitored by international and local observers and he believed it would contribute positively towards the resolution of the ethnic conflict.