As of 14th May 2006 CMEV has recorded a cumulative total of 23 incidents of election related violence in the local government election campaign. Elections to 22 Local Government bodies are to be held election on 20th May 2006. Of this total, 10 have been categorized as Major Incidents and of these, one is a Murder and 6 are incidents of Assault.

The highest numbers of Major Incidents have been reported in the Akkaraipattu Pradeshiya Sabha (5), Colombo, Galle and Kalmunai Municipal Councils (4), respectively.

Vavuniya District – Vavuniya Urban Council

Murder in Vavuniya Town

TNA candidate for Mayor of the Vavunia Urban council, Mr. S.K.Senthilnathan was shot dead by an unidentified person at around 1115hrs. on 26th April 2006, in the vicinity of his shop in Vavuniya.

When contacted, Mr. Nathan Vice President of TULF informed CMEV that this incident cannot be categorised directly as a murder related to politics.

When contacted, Mr. Kapilan Senthilnathan son of victim refused to give a statement on this incident.

When contacted, the Mr. Nesaraja Chief Inspector of Vavuniya Police Station stated that investigations were ongoing but that no one lodged a complaint on this incident.

Colombo District – Colombo Municipal Council

Assault in Maradana

Mr.M. Razak a son of UPFA Colombo Municipal Council candidate MR. M.T. Mohamad Rilvan and Wagibullah Hussain secretary of MR. M.T. Mohamad Rilvan , were assaulted allegedly by a group of supporters of UPFA Colombo Municipal Council Candidate Mr. M.H.Mansil at around 0310hrs. on 11 May 2006, in the vicinity of Party office of Mr.Rilvan at Armour Street. A group of 8 – 10 people who came by three wheeler destroyed all cut-outs in front of the party office and assaulted to Mr.Rilvan’s supporters who were playing cards in the party office.

When CMEV contacted Kotahena Police for information on the incident they in turn asked CMEV to contact the Foreshore Police. The Foreshore Police failed to provide any clarifications or any information regarding this incident due to unavailability of the Police Elections Branch personnel.

When contacted, Mr. M.H.Mansil UPFA Candidate of Colombo Municipal Council denied the allegation and added that this was a clash between two groups of friends.

Digamadulla District – Pottuvil Pradeshiya Sabha

Hurt in Pottuvil

CMEV was informed that around 1730hrs. on 12th May 2006 Mr. Abdul Rafeek Supporter of Independent Group-1 was assaulted by a group of a UPFA supporters including one identified as Mr.M.H.M.Subahan.

The assault allegedly took place Savalai Road, Potuvil following a argument about pasting posters on the victim’s wall.

Mr. A.M Abdul Majeed told CMEV that the victim was admitted to the Potuvil District Hospital for treatment of minor injuries on the same day.

CMEV contacted Pottuvil Police on several occasions to get information in relation to this incident. None of the police officers were prepared to reveal anything regarding this incident.

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 organisation to monitor the incidence of election related violence.

Dr. P. Saravanamuttu Co-Convenor	Sunila Abeysekera Co-Convenor	Seetha Ranjani Co-Convenor