A total of 502 incidents of election related violence have been recorded by CMEV as of 20 September 2000. Of these 296 or 59% have been classified as Major Offences and 206 or 41% as Minor Offences. The highest number of Major Offences continue to be reported from the North Western Province - 57 incidents or 19% of the total number of incidents recorded in this category. The PA is allegedly responsible for 54% of the incidents in the Major Offences category and the UNP for 25%. Twenty one percent (21%) of all incidents reported (502) involve the use of firearms. Of these the PA is allegedly responsible for 63% of the incidents and the UNP for 13%. In another 21% of the incidents the party affiliation of the alleged perpetrators has not been identified.

North Western Province

CMEV has received a report of shots being fired at Mr.Ranga Bandara's vehicle at Kudaweva Junction, Anamaduwa allegedly by supporters of former PA MP and currently candidate in the area Mr. D.M. Dassanayake. The incident is reported to have taken place at 10:30 hrs on 20 September. Mr. Bandara, UNP Candidate in the Puttalam district was allegedly outside the residence of Mr. Bandara Rajakaruna, PA candidate in the Puttalam district when supporters of Mr.Dassanayake are said to have arrived in a cab belonging to him. It is alleged that they opened fire on Mr.Bandara's vehicle and that Mr.Bandara's supporters had returned fire, injuring Shammi, a supporter of Mr.Dassanayake.

Mr.Samson Ranasinghe, UNP candidate in the Puttalam district told CMEV that the injured party had admitted himself to the Anamaduwa hospital (Ward No:1), but that the injuries were minor. The Anamaduwa hospital told CMEV that the patient had discharged himself at 17:30 hrs this evening. Mr. Ranasinghe also alleges that a young UNP worker was assaulted by Mr. Dassanayake personally, in the course of the incident.

Mr. Samarakone, a worker in Mr. Dassanayake's office told CMEV that Mr. Dassanayake's supporters were heading towards the location of a meeting which was to be held in the vicinity of Mr. Rajakaruna's house. He further claims that they were fired at and that Shammi had been seriously injured.

Mr.Ranasinghe told CMEV that Mr. Ranga Bandara has been taken into custody by the Anamaduwa police, but when contacted, the police refused to give any information regarding the incident until the OIC returned from making inquiries. CMEV has been unable to contact the OIC subsequently.

The disappearance of S. Premaratne (PA) on 19 September alleged to have occurred between 10:00 hrs and 10:30 hrs has been reported to CMEV from Kuliyapitiya. The family of the victim believes that he was kidnapped, but did not wish to give information to CMEV over the phone.

Sub Inspector Sebastian of the Kuliyapitiya police who is assisting in the investigations, told CMEV that on 19 September S. Premaratne had allegedly disappeared while returning from Gamini Bookshop after delivering PA posters to be printed. The Sub -Inspector went on to say that an anonymous call had been made to Premaratne's residence from a communication center, in which the callers had told Premaratne's son Manoj Chandana that his father was with them, and that he would be released after the elections. They had threatened Manoj not to engage in election work.

Mr. Sebastian also told CMEV that a complaint had been lodged under EIB number 02/20 , and that investigations are being carried out with regard to the incident. He said that all communication centers of the area had been screened and that he believed the incident occurred and judging by the information received that it appeared to be election -related.

On 16 September 2000, Manoj Wine stores owned by Mr Lakshman Bandara and located along the Kurunegala Wariyapola road in Wariyapola, was allegedly attacked by Mr. Ananda Jayalath (PA) Chairman, Pradeshiya Sabha at around 14:15 hrs. Indika Thilakaratne Bandara (UNP), the the sister of Mr Bandara alleges that Mr. Jayalath arrived in a vehicle belonging to the Pradeshiya Sabha bearing the number 252-6377 and opened fire on the wine store. This incident is said to have taken place around 45 minutes after the killing of PA supporter Lal Premasiri also known as Kasippu Lal. Ms Bandara further alleges that at around 1600 hours later that evening, PA supporters had broken into Hotel Lakmedura, also belonging to her brother, damaging the building and TVs inside it. When contacted by CMEV, ASP Chandrasekera of the Wariyapola police confirmed that a complaint has been lodged on the 18th under EIB number 2/22. He further stated that 7-8 bullet holes were found on the door of the Wine Store, and that investigations are being carried out though no suspects have been taken in for questioning as yet. Mr. Ananda Jayalath when contacted by the CMEV, denied the allegations and said that he was not involved in any such incident.

On 17 September, a bus (60 Sri 6452 TATA 909) belonging to Mr. Ruben Silva, Member of the Provincial Council North Western Province (UNP) , was allegedly doused in petrol and set on fire by PA supporters at Hanhamunuwa junction near the house of Lal Premasiri, the PA supporter who was killed in an incident of violence at Wariyapola on 16 September. The bus had allegedly been stopped earlier in the vicinity of Lal Premasiri's house, where upon firearms were used to break the windows of the bus. The driver was allegedly forced to drive under gun point to the said location at Hanhamunuwa Junction, where the bus was set on fire. Mr.Silva who made these allegations to CMEV further charges that the attackers poured petrol on the driver and warned that no busses of UNP supporters would be allowed to run on that route. He also alleges that when an attempt was made to lodge a complaint at the Wariyapola police, the Officer In Charge had refused to accept it. A complaint had later been lodged at the Kurunegala police under the number GCIB ii 102/180 . When contacted by the CMEV, the Kurunegala police confirmed that such an entry had been lodged and has been handed over to the Wariyapola police for investigations. Mr. Amarasinghe Pathiraja, Private Secretary to the Chief Minister of North Western Province Mr.SB Navinna (PA) denied the allegations against the PA to CMEV and said that he believed that Lal Premasiri's relatives who were angered by his death, were responsible for this attack.

On 16 September allegations of a grenade attack by the PA on the motorcade in which the Leader of the Opposition was travelling to Wariyapola , were made by the UNP. When CMEV contacted ASP Charles Wijewardena of the Kurunegala Police, he told CMEV that no formal complaint on the incident has been lodged with the police. Mr. Wijewardena told CMEV that he had received a phone call from the Leader of the Opposition who questioned him about the cancellation of the UNP Wariyapola meeting as a consequence of the killing of Mr Lal Premasiri on the same day.. Mr Wijewardena further told CMEV that the Leader of the Opposition also mentioned that a grenade was thrown at his vehicle. Mr. Wijewardena stated that he had informed the Leader of the Opposition that he would look into the matter. Mr.Wijewardena also told CMEV that in his investigation nothing was found that could corroborate these allegations. He told CMEV that he felt these allegations were unfounded.

Police Constable Rohan Fernando, attached to the Leader of the Opposition's security and an eye witness to the incident told CMEV that the bomb did not hit Mr Wickremesinghe's vehicle, but that the damage was caused to the two vehicles behind him. He said that he didn't lodge a police complaint regarding this matter but that he had asked the owners of the vehicles that were damaged - who Mr.Fernando identified to CMEV only as UNP supporters - to lodge a complaint.

No complaint has been lodged at the Wariyapola or Kurunegala Police stations with regard to this incident.

Sabaragamuwa Province

At 00:30 hrs on 20 September, Rohana Senakumara, Ranga Bakmeedeniya, Neil Kumara and others, supporters of PA Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Minister for Health and Transport Mr.Lalith Dissanayake, were allegedly assaulted by supporters of Deputy Minister of Housing and Construction Mr. Mahipala Herath (PA) at Buruluppa, Hettimulla in the Kegalle electorate. Mr Lalith Dissanayake told CMEV that his supporters were pasting posters when they were assaulted. Mr Namal Bakmeedeniya a supporter of Mr Dissanayake's who claims to be an eye witness to the incident, told CMEV that supporters of Mr.Herath had threatened them and stated that Mr.Herath is the only candidate who will be allowed to contest the Kegalle electorate, and that Mr. Dissanayake can contest in Aranayake if he wishes to do so. Mr Namal Bakmeedeniya further alleged that the attackers abducted the complainants and stripped them before assaulting them again - at which point the complainants had escaped. He also told CMEV that the alleged attackers used knives and swords, and that they were armed with guns, which however were not fired. R. S. Kumara, R,A Thushara Bakmeedeniya and Neil Kumara have been admitted to the Mawanella hospital.

A doctor at the Mawanella hospital confirmed that the above patients are at the hospital receiving treatment for their injuries.

Mr. Karunathilake secretary in Mr Herath's Kegalle district office told CMEV that supporters of Mr Dissanayake had been pasting his posters over those of Mr. Herath and that this could have resulted in an incident .

Mr.Lalith Dissanayake told CMEV that a complaint had been lodged in the Mawanella police. OIC Pieris of the Mawanella police told CMEV that the complaint was received and sent to the Kegalle police. The HQI of the Kegalle police Mr.Herath told CMEV at 13:30 hrs that they had received no such complaint.

North Central Province

In a PA intra -party clash which occurred at 0300hrs on 20 September in the Kalawewa electorate in the Anuradhapura district a bald headed gang -also known as the "Thatta Gansiya"- of supporters of Mr.T.M.R Siripala Chairman, Pradeshiya Sabha of Thalwa (PA) had allegedly opened fire on the residence of Mr.Abeyratne Herathgedara, PA Member of the Thalawa Pradeshiya Sabha. The complainant Mr.Herathgedara alleges that the attackers had arrived in a grey cab belonging to the Thalawa Pradeshiya Sabha bearing the number 252-6482. He states that he believes that the reason for the shooting was a blow he struck A.M Ranbanda, a Samurdhi Niyamaka (427 Thelhiriyawa, Thulana) on an earlier occasion. Mr A.M. Ranbanda is allegedly a member of the "thattha" gang. Mr Herathgedara said that the dispute with AM Ranbanda arose because Mr Ranbanda had misinformed people of the area by way a letter, as to the location of a pocket meeting which was usually held at the residence of Mr. Herathgedara.

Mr.Herathgedara alleges that when he had attempted to lodge a complaint at the Thambuttegama police, the OIC Mr. Sarathprema had asked Mr. Herathgedara not to mention in his complaint that the attackers arrived in a Pradeshiya Sabha cab. Mr.Herathgedara had then lodged a complaint with the SSP Anuradhapura police station Mr.Wilfred Mahanayake. CMEV has been unable to contact Mr.Sarathprema .

An employee of the Thalawa Pradeshiya Sabha who did not want to be identified by name, told CMEV that the vehicle bearing the number 252-6482 was a Pradeshiya Sabha vehicle and that it was being used by Mr.Siripala, the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman.

Mr.Herathgedara further alleges that the "thatta" gang acts with the knowledge of Mr.Siripala, that Mr Siripala has also shaved his head in order to be able to participate in acts of violence and that Mr.Siripala supports Mr.Duminda Dissanayake, while he Mr. Herathgadara supports Mr.Shantha Premaratne. He also stated that the latter factor is not the primary reason for the shooting.

North-East

CMEV has received reports of clashes in the Vavuniya district between factions of the EPRLF, supporting Mr. Varatharaja Perumal and Mr. Suresh Premachandran, respectively. Mr.Gnanadas Sivam, candidate for Vavuniya & District Secretary of Varatharaja Perumal faction of the EPRLF alleges that on 16 September Seiyadu Cassim a supporter of Mr Perumal's was assaulted and abducted by Jayaraman, Nadesan, Siri, Robo & Madiharan, supporters of Mr Suresh Premachandran. Mr Sivam also alleges that Mr Cassim, was assaulted with wooden clubs and barbed wire near Station road, Vavuniya town and then taken by van to the office of Mr. Premachandran where further assaults allegedly took place, resulting in head injuries and a fractured knee. According to Mr Sivam, Mr Cassim was sent to the Vavuniya hospital, and has subsequently been transferred to the Anuradhapura hospital.

CMEV spoke to Mr. Premachandran, who denied the allegations, and stated that one of his supporters had been assaulted by supporters of Mr.Varatharaj Perumal that morning (16 September) at Pavatkulam, Vavuniya. According to Mr.Premachandran the victim of this assault was hospitalized by members of the general public of that area who he alleges are the same persons that assaulted Seiyadu Cassim that evening while he was pasting posters.

CMEV was told by an attendant in ward 1 of the Anuradhapura hospital that Cassim was warded there and that he could now be discharged. The hospital also confirmed the injuries.

Mr.Suresh Premachandran further alleged that on 16 September at 23:30 hrs a grenade was thrown at the residence of Vasanthan, a supporter of Mr. Premachandran by Thurai, Baba and Kumar, supporters of Mr. Varatharaja Perumal, and that Mr. Gnanadas Sivam , Perumal faction candidate for Vavuniya, was also present at the scene of the attack.

Mr.Premachandra also told CMEV that since Mr.Varatharaj Perumal's group was heavily armed and funded by the Government, it caused the eruption of violence in the area.

When CMEV spoke to Mr.Sivam regarding Mr Premachandran's , allegation he told CMEV that on this day (16 September) he left Vavuniya at 14:00 hrs to attend a discussion which was to be held in Colombo the next day, and that he was not in Vavuniya at the time of the alleged incident.

CMEV has received the police complaints regarding the above incidents from the Police Headquarters Election Secretariat in Colombo.

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.

As an independent civil society group committed to strengthening and protecting the integrity of the electoral process, the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) is deeply concerned by recent media reports that the integrity and independence of the Commissioner of Elections is being questioned. This arises from action he felt it necessary to take to prevent the use of stolen or forged polling cards on election day. The Commissioner maintains that he fully intended to inform the political parties of this action at the appropriate time.

CMEV firmly believes that the electoral process is the basic mechanism for choice and change in a functioning democracy. Accordingly, the independence of the individual and office charged with the responsibility for the conduct of elections, is of paramount importance. We are therefore committed to defending the right of the Commissioner of Elections to take the measures he sees fit to prevent electoral fraud and malpractice.

Further reports that the Election Commissioner has himself been subjected to threats and intimidation are truly shocking and are a dire indictment of the prevailing political culture. The persistence of such violence will reflect adversely on the Police and call into question both the commitment to and capacity for democratic governance in Sri Lanka.

Our concerns are heightened by the experience of elections in the past which have been characterised by the prevalence of widespread violence, blatant disregard for democratic norms and procedures and violations of the electoral law. Current trends in the incidence of election related violence, especially the rise in the number of major offences including murder, reinforce our concerns regarding a free and fair election on 10 October 2000.

Attempts to undermine the constitutionally guaranteed independence of the Commissioner of Elections and to impede him in the discharge of his responsibilities will gravely imperil democracy in Sri Lanka.

We call upon all political parties and civil society groups to extend their fullest cooperation and support to the Commissioner of Elections to ensure a free and fair election on 10 October 2000.


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.

A total of 346 incidents of election related violence have been recorded by CMEV as of 16 September 2000. Of these 202 (58%) have been classified as Major Offences and 144 (42%) as Minor Offences. The number of Murders including the victims of the 15 September suicide bomb attack in front of the Eye Hospital, Colombo, has risen to 12. The highest number of Major Offences have been reported from the North Western Province - 42 or 21% of the total in this category. The PA is allegedly responsible for 56% of the incidents in the Major Offences category and the UNP for 24%.

Nineteen percent (19%) of all incidents reported involve the use of firearms Of these, the PA is allegedly responsible for 62% of the incidents and the UNP for 12%. In 23% of these incidents, the party affiliation of the alleged perpetrator has not been identified.

Western Province

Supporters of UNP Gampaha district candidate Gamini Gooneratne allege that they were attacked this morning at 0330 hours near the Nikawela bridge, when six of them were pasting posters. They allege that a Pajero had drawn up towards then and one of the occupants had threatened the UNP group with a gun which he subsequently fired in the air. Whilst most of the UNP group had fled, two of them had been assaulted . One of them, Anura Samantha has been discharged from the General Hospital after treatment. The other Karunathilake is hospitalised in ward 72.

Mr Gamini Gooneratne told CMEV that whilst he is not making a direct accusation against supporters of Minister Reggie Ranatunga, he had been informed that the Pajero bore a poster of Mr Ranatunga. CMEV spoke to Mr Ranatunga's secretary Mr R.M.B. Ratnayake and to his coordinating secretary Pradeep who both stated that they had not been informed about the incident and that Mr Ranatunga's poster campaign had yet to commence.

Uva Province

K.G.Siripala and N.N. Amaratunga of the UNP allege that at 3pm yesterday 15 September at Gilalagolla, Giradurukotte in the Mahiyangana electorate, they were assaulted by supporters of Deputy Minister Dilan Perera. In another complaint from the Mahiyangana electorate (EIB:199/177), H.M. Ariayadasa of the UNP alleges that supporters of the Deputy Minister shot at his house and assaulted two of his neighbours A.M. Premaratne and R.M. Ratnayake.

CMEV spoke to the Mahiyangana PA Organizer who denied the allegations of assault. When informed of the vehicle numbers used by the alleged assailants - 226-8674 and 227-4593 - he further stated that vehicles bearing these numbers were not connected to the PA. CMEV also spoke to OIC IP Wedage who said that there had been no arrests in the case and that there was no confirmation that the vehicles identified had any connection to Deputy Minister Dilan Perera.

North Western

Former UNP MP and candidate in the Kurunegala District, Amara Piyaseeli Ratnayake informed CMEV that a PA supporter armed with a knife attempted to stab her whilst she was on her way to a meeting and that her security opened fire. She reported the incident as having taken place today the 16th of September at 1330 hrs. The assailant subsequently succumbed to his gunshot wounds. Two others were injured, one critically.

CMEV spoke to Mr Pathiraja at S.B.Nawinna's PA office and was told that an argument had broken out on account of there being PA supporters in the vicinity of a UNP rally and that shots had been fired as a result.

In another incident reported from the Kurunegala District, Chaminda Bandaranayake the brother of UNP organizer Indika Bandaranayake of the Galgamuwa electorate alleges that on 15 September at 1900 hrs Kumara Keerthi Wijeratne PA member of North Western Provincial Council opened fire with a pistol at a group of UNP supporters who were erecting a stage.

He alleges that Deputy Minister Bandula Basnayake was also present and that one of the PA supporters had also thrown a grenade, though not directly at the UNP group. A fight had ensued in which he alleges that UNP supporters were assaulted. Four of them were admitted to the Galgamuwa Hospital and then subsequently transferred to the Kurunegala Hospital. Kurunegala Hospital Police told CMEV that the injuries were minor and not the result of the use of firearms or explosives.

IP Edirisinghe who was present at the incident told CMEV that the incident arose from a misunderstanding that a vehicle belonging to the UNP supporters was being used to deliberately block Deputy Minister Basnayake's vehicle. He further stated that the Deputy Minister's security had fired into the air to control the situation.

North Central

UNP candidate in the Kalawewa electorate , Anuradhapura district and Provincial Council member R.B. Abeysinghe alleges that whilst he was returning from a meeting on 14 September at 1745 hrs, Upali Gunawardhene PA deputy chairperson of the Thalawa Pradeshiya Sabha and supporters Jayalath Marambage and Pushpa had opened fire on his vehicle damaging the windscreen. Mr Abeysinghe further alleges that he escaped injury by running into a nearby house. A police complaint has been lodged bearing EIB NO 94/120 at the Eppawala station.

CMEV tried to contact Mr Gunawardhene but was unsuccessful. His wife informed CMEV that she had no knowledge of the incident. CMEV also tried to speak to Mr Abeysinghe but was unsuccessful. His wife informed CMEV that the vehicles of the alleged attackers in the incident bore the posters of PA candidate Duminda Dissanayake.

CMEV has also been informed of a series of allegations against OIC Nihal Jayaweera of the Galenbindunuwewa Police station. The JVP and the UNP in the area allege that Mr Jayaweera is biased towards PA candidate and former MP P.B.Dissanayake.

The allegations range from assault in the case of the JVP (11th September) and of inaction in the case of the UNP when on the evening of 3 September one of its supporters Mr Anura Wickramasinghe 's house was shot at and death threats made. The UNP claims that the Police refused to accept a complaint regarding this incident.

The JVP alleges that on 11 September, 03 of its supporters were assaulted and arrested by Mr Jayaweera whilst pasting posters. A complaint (ASP ii 493/2000) has been made to ASP Waas Gunawardhene of the Anuradhapura Police Division by JVP member of the North Central Provincial Council, Ranaweera Pathirana.

They allege that Mr Jayaweera was drunk and that one person was hospitalized as a result of the assault. The hospital has confirmed that one person was admitted, but informed CMEV that he had no visible injuries.

Mr Jayaweera told CMEV that he did arrest the JVP supporters, but denied the allegation of assault and of being under the influence of alcohol. He also stated that the pasting of posters was an illegal act and that he had acted on information given to him by Mr P.B.Dissanayake. Mr Jayaweera further stated that Mr Jayasinghe one of the JVP supporters involved in the incident, was a former supporter of Mr P.B.Dissanayake's and that he bears a grudge against the police because they busted a kasippu ring he was associated with.

In an incident that took place that same morning, the UNP alleges that the police had warned some of their supporters to disperse from a meeting place because supporters of Mr P.B.Dissanayake carrying firearms, were approaching. The UNP also alleges that Mr P.B Dissanayake's son Upul arrived with the group.

The group was in fact not armed on arrival and the UNP claims that they returned armed to the scene of the incident after having visited the Police station. The UNP alleges that the Police provided the PA group with firearms, that their supporters were assaulted and that some of them had to be hospitalized. They allege that the police had refused to accept the UNP complaint and only did so later, on the advice of a doctor who had attended to the injured.


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.

307 incidents of election related violence have been reported to the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) as of September 15, 2000. Of these, 176 (57%) have been classified as Major incidents which include Murder (06), Attempted Murder (04), Hurt (45), Grievous Hurt (06), Assault (58) and Threat and Intimidation (35). 02 Incidents each involving the Misuse of State Resources have also been reported from the Badulla and Colombo districts respectively, bringing the total number of incidents in this category to 15.

The People's Alliance are the alleged perpetrators in 163 incidents (53%). Ninety Seven (97) of the complaints against the PA allege Major Offences and 66 fall under the Minor Offences category. The UNP is allegedly responsible for 69 incidents of violence of which 45 fall into the category of Major Offences. Six (06) complaints have been made against the JVP, while 57 complaints have been made against persons of unknown political affiliation. The UNP is responsible for 125 of the complaints reported, of which 99 or 79% have been made against the PA. Ninety Nine (99) complaints have also been made by the People's Alliance, of which 20 are inter-party complaints and 53 are against the UNP.

The use of fire arms have been reported in 54 incidents, with the PA named as the alleged perpetrator in 30 incidents and persons of unidentified political affiliation in 15. The UNP has been identified as the alleged perpetrator in 07 incidents involving the use of fire arms.

The highest number of incidents (72) has been reported from the North Western Province. This constitutes 23% of the total number of incidents. The Kurunegala and Puttalam districts account for 33 and 39 incidents respectively. The People's Alliance are allegedly responsible for 41 incidents in the North Western Province, while the United National Party are allegedly responsible for 13. A total of 49 incidents have been reported from the Western Province and 35 from the Central Province. The Uva Province accounts for 32 incidents while the North Central, Southern and Sabaragamuwa Provinces each account for 31 incidents respectively.

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 CMEV

Bandula Padmakumara CMEV

Dr. Arjuna Parakrama CMEV