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Media
Communiqué on Election-related Violence
Local Government Elections 2002 |
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Monday
12th March 2002
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THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS OF MARCH 20, 2002
The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV), which has monitored elections in Sri Lanka since 1997, will once again monitor the local government elections due to commence on March 20, 2002. However, due to a number of practical reasons, the CMEV will only monitor elections in 79 out of a total of 241 local government bodies. A list of the selected local government bodies is attached herewith.
In making the selection of the local government bodies, the CMEV prioritised those areas in which there had been a high incidence of violence during previous elections. In addition, selection criteria included a high level of competition between the main contending parties, areas with a minority representation and areas in which political leaders had crossed over from one party to another.
In all of the 79 areas in which we hope to monitor the elections, a full-time representative of the CMEV has already been appointed and has commenced work. In addition, the CMEV will deploy several mobile monitoring teams in order to cover areas in which we do not have a field-based representation. As in previous election monitoring exercises, this time too we have already been assured of the support of the Police Department and the Election Commissioner's Department in carrying out our work.
We are pleased to note the relatively non-violent trend that we have observed in the local government election campaign so far, and appeal to all political parties to take all steps to ensure that complete peace and freedom prevail in the final days of the campaign.
We believe
that it is the responsibility of all political parties, and especially
of the ruling party, to enable a free and fair election to be held, through
the creation of a law-abiding and peaceful environment on election day
and in the days following the elections.
It is only by ensuring that the process of electing local government bodies,
which will commence on March 20, 2002, is both free and fair that we as
Sri Lankans can express our commitment to a democratic future.
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Province |
District |
Local Government Bodies |
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Western |
Colombo |
Colombo MC, Kesbewa PS, Seethawaka PS |
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Gampaha |
Gampaha MC, Minuwangoda UC, Katana PS, Attanagalle PS, Ja –Ela PS. |
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Kalutara |
Agalawatta PS, Matugama PS. |
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North Western |
Kurunegala |
Kurunagala MC, Kuliyapitiya UC, Ibbagamuwa PS, Wariyapola PS, Mawattegama PS |
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Puttalam |
Chilaw UC, Anamaduwa PS, Puttalam PS, Nattandiya PS. |
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North Central |
Anuradhapura |
A'pura MC, Talawa PS, Galnewa PS, Kekirawa PS |
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Pollonaruwa |
Thamankaduwa PS, Dimbulagala PS, |
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Central |
Kandy |
Kandy MC, Gampola UC, Thumpane PS, Akurana PS, Udapalatha PS, Pathahewaheta PS |
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Nuwara Eliya |
Hatton Dickoya UC, Nuwara Eliya PS, Hanguranketha PS |
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Matale |
Naula PS, Pallepola PS, Galewela PS, Dambulla PS |
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Southern |
Galle |
Galle MC, Neluwa PS, Bope – Poddala PS, Baddegama PS |
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Hambantota |
Tangalle UC, Belliatta PS, Tissamaharama PS, Hambantota PS |
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Matara |
Weligama PS, Akuressa PS, Devinuwara PS |
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Uva |
Badulla |
Bandarawela UC, Ridimaliyadda PS, |
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Province |
District |
Local Government Bodies |
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Haputale PS, Badulla PS |
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Monaragala |
Bibile Ps, Thanamalvila PS, Monaragala PS. |
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Sabaragamuwa |
Kegalle |
Rambukkana PS, Mawanella PS, Ruwanwella PS, Aranayake PS |
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Ratnapura |
Atakalampana PS, Nivitigala PS, Ratnapura PS, Balangoda PS. |
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Nothern |
Jaffna |
Jaffna
MC |
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Mannar |
Mannar PS |
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Vavunia |
Vavunia UC |
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Eastern |
Trincomalee |
Seruvila
PS |
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Batticalo |
Kathankudi
UC |
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Digamadulla |
Kalmunai MC, Ampara UC, Dehiaththakandiya PS, Pottuvil PS |
CMEV was formed in 1997 by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), the Free Media Movement (FMM) and the Coalition Against Political Violence as an independent and non-partisan organization to monitor the incidence of election related violence.
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Dr.
P. Saravanamuttu |
Sunila
Abeysekera Co-Convenor |
Sundanda
Deshapriya |