With only eight days to go for the Presidential election, the country is seeing a surge in polls-related violence. Two deaths and violent clashes have been reported from different parts of the country. Between nomination day and last night, some 580 incidents of election violence have been reported to the police.
United National Party (UNP) deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya told the Sunday Times that he has brought up the issue of polls violence with the Inspector General of Police, Mahinda Balasuriya, and has called for action in the face of escalating violence.
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| Election tension is affecting Polonnaruwa residents, (above), while Moneragala residents march in protest over escalating election violence (below). Pix by A. Karunaratne and Sumanasiri Gunatilake |
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Mr. Jayasuriya, who was in Polonnaruwa on Thursday, said party supporters were shaken by the violence but were continuing with their campaign.
On Tuesday, rival supporters of the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and common opposition candidate, General Sarath Fonseka clashed in Polonaruwa town, triggering more violence.
Late on Tuesday, armed men stormed 13 election campaign offices of General Fonseka, causing serious damage to property. The following day, a wave of attacks occurred during a protest march organised by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the UNP. Several of General Fonseka’s supporters were injured and rushed to hospital.
Among those attacked was BBC reporter Thakshila Dilrukshi Jayasena, allegedly by government supporters.
Jewellery and equipment belonging to the female journalist were reported to have been stolen. No arrests have been made in connection with the attacks.
According to witnesses, the Minister for Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Development, Maithripala Sirisena, and former JVP provincial councillor, Indrananda Silva, were among those involved in the clash.
The Minister is alleged to have used his vehicle to obstruct the protestors during the march. The Minister later lodged a complaint with the Kaduruwella police, claiming his vehicles had been damaged and that an UPFA campaign office in the area had been attacked. Three persons have been arrested in connection with the incident. According to the police, at least three vehicles were damaged in the violence.
Five police teams have been deployed in the Polonnaruwa area to beef up security.
Last Tuesday, Kusumawathi Kurupparachchi (58) was killed in Tangalle when two gunmen opened fire on the bus in which she was travelling, en route to an election meeting organised by UNP Member of Parliament, Sajith Premadasa.
The killing was the first death in pre-poll violence, and signalled a deadly turn in the election campaign. Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder (see separate story on Page 3) .
On Wednesday night, election violence further escalated, when two JVP offices and four UNP offices in Ampara were attacked and set on fire. According to eyewitnesses, the gangs had arrived in vans and double cabs. Two of General Fonseka’s supporters were injured.
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| A cutout of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa stands at Nupe Jnunction, Matara, while that of his election rival General Sarath Fonseka has been torn down. Pic. by J. Weerasekera |
On Thursday, a UPFA office in Indigaha, Panadura, was destroyed by unidentified persons. One injured party supporter was rushed to the Panadura hospital.
The same day, two UNP propaganda offices, at the Gelanigama Junction and Rajagama, in Bandaragama, were set ablaze.
No arrests have been made in either the Panadura or Bandaragame incidents.
Early on Friday, UNP Kolonnawa Urban Councillor Janaka Naulla was seriously hurt when a gang of about 40 armed men stormed his residence and attacked him. A member of his family said Mr Naulla was rushed to hospital.
The attackers also damaged the residences of UNP Urban Council member Chithra Dias and Provincial Council member, K. A. Sunil. The attackers later attacked the house of the leader of the opposition of the Mulleriyawa Urban Council, Leslie Kuruwittarachchi. According to the victims, the attackers were armed with T-56 assault rifles and iron rods.
It is believed the attacks were prompted by plans to hold a Presidential election rally for General Sarath Fonseka in Kolonnawa on Thursday.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Gamini Navaratne, who heads the police elections unit, told the Sunday Times that special police teams have been deployed to investigate all incidents of election violence.
DIG Navarathne dismissed accusations that the police have failed to act. “We have spoken to all parties concerned to assist us in our enquiries, to ensure such incidents do not recur,” DIG Navarathne said. “Our biggest challenge these days is to remove cutouts, banners and other election propaganda material. The police are doing their best to probe all reports of election violence. We have already made several arrests. We have beefed up security in those areas we consider volatile.” |
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