On 20th May 2006, CMEV will monitor the elections to 20 Local Government Bodies.

On the day of elections CMEV will deploy 240 Polling Center Observers, concentrating on polling centers which are identified as sensitive in nature by CMEV Field Monitors. Apart from the Polling Center Observers, 20 teams of mobile monitors will also be deployed to observe the 20 polling divisions in which elections are being held.

As of 19th May 2006, CMEV has recorded a cumulative total of 54 incidents of election related violence including two murders of candidates and one Samurdhi Officer. Of this total, 29 have been categorized as Major Incidents and of these, 12 are identified as Assaults. In terms geographical spread of incidence of violence, the highest number of Major Incidents have been reported in the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha (5), Pottuvil Pradeshiya Sabha (4)

Digamadulla District – Akkaraipathu Pradesiya Sabah

Two hand grenade explosions in Patiyadipiti

On May 15, Akkaraipathu Police reported the explosion of two hand grenades allegedly by Adam Lebbey Ameenudeen, supporter of NC in Pattiyadipiti area at around 18.30hrs. It is reported that Mr.Ismail Abdul Hakeem, a candidate of SLMC for Akkaraipathu Pradesiya Sabha and two SLMC supporters, Ameen Deen Riyal and Mohamed Naushad along with four civilians sustained grievous injuries as a consequence of this explosion. They are presently undergoing treatment in Eluwantuwan Basic Hospital and Ampara District Hospital.

The Police investigation reveals that the first explosion occurred following an argument between the accused Adam Lebbey Ameenudeen and a group of SLMC supporters including Ameen Deen Riyal, Mohamed Naushad and Mohamed Jameel. The second grenade was apparently thrown by Mr. Ameenudeen while he was fleeing from the first explosion. The accused was attacked by SLMC supporters and civilians and he has also been admitted to Ampara District Hospital with grievous injuries.

Ampara District – Navithanvelly Pradeshiya Sabha

Two Murders in Colony Road

TNA candidate for Navithanveli Pradeshiya Sabha, Mr. Kamal Raj and Balasundaram Sureshwaran, Samurdhi Officer were shot dead by an unidentified person at around 1300hrs on 18th May 2006, on the Colony Road within the Central Camp Police station limit.

When contacted, Mr. Pathmanadan, MP of TNA in Digamadulla District informed CMEV that this has done by a group of anti-Tamils.

When contacted, Mr. Asanka Karawita ASP Ampara confirmed that such an incident had taken place and added that the Police were conducting further investigations. However, they have not apprehended any suspects over this incident.

Galle District – Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha

JVP-JSP Clash in Dikhena

CMEV was informed of a clash between a group of supporters of JVP and JSP at Dikhena Junction around 0740hrs on 19th May 2006. This incident took place in the vicinity of a JVP party office at Dikhena.

It is reported that a group of JSP supporters had approached the JVP supporters who were removing anti-JVP posters put up by the JSP and assaulted them. The Pitigala police has arrested Mr.M.W.Nalin Priyadarshana, a JVP supporter following a complaint made by JSP supporters (EIB 380/363) regarding the attack.

When contacted, Mr. Douglas PC of Pitigala Police told CMEV that further Investigation is going on and added that both parties are responsible for this incident.

Mr. Nishantha Nanayakkara, member of Southern Provincial Council complained to CMEV that the JSP is campaigning illegally with the support of government and that the Police acts with bias towards the JSP.

Kandy District – Udapalatha Pradeshiya Sabha

UPFA assault on UNP at Delpitiya

CMEV was informed of an incident where a group of UPFA supporters allegedly led by Mr.D.Agalawatta had assaulted a group of UNP supporters and damaged to 6 three-wheels at Delpitiya Junction in Udapalatha Pradeshiya Sabha around 1030hrs on 19th May 2006.

A group of 30 individuals, who came by three vans, had approached the UNP supporters who were at the three wheel park at Delpitiya junction and assaulted them.

When contacted, Mr.P.B.Nugaliyadda, UNP candidate for chairmanship of Udapalatha Pradeshiya Sabha told CMEV that four supporters of Nishantha Perera, UNP candidate have been assaulted with a sword and iron bars. Later two of victims namely Saman Kumara Karunaratne and Chamil Thushara Perera were admitted to Gampola District Hospital with grievous injuries for treatment.

When contacted, Dharmasiri Agalawatta, accused, told CMEV that this happened following an argument between UNP supporters and his supporters over an attack on a bus owned by him, earlier in the day.

Unit Head of Police Election Branch Mr. Hemantha, SI of Gampola Police informed CMEV that further investigations are in progress.

Kandy District – Gampola Urban Council

Assault on Polling Center Agent of Kahatapitiya Muslim College.

CMEV was informed that around 1330hrs. on 19th May 2006 Mr. M.J.Mohamed Fareed UNP Polling booth agent of Kahatapitiya Muslim School was assaulted by a group of UPFA supporters, including M.Haris UPFA candidate of Gampola UC whose name was on the rejected list.

The victim has been threatened not to attend to polling booth activities on election day following the attack which took place while he was on the way to the mosque. He was admitted to Gampola District Hospital for treatment.

Mr. Hemantha SI of Unit Head of Election Branch of Gampola Police confirmed the incident but failed to provide an entry number in this regard, due to unavailability of the Police Elections Branch personnel.

CMEV urges all government officials and Police officers entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that the elections on May 20 are free and fair to carry out their responsibilities without bias or discrimination. Given the fact that the elections to these local government bodies were delayed due to a variety of conflicts and legal interventions, it is to be expected that the elections will be closely contested. CMEV calls on all political parties and groups contesting the elections, therefore, to ensure that candidates and their supporters conduct themselves in a manner that will not bring the electoral process into jeopardy or create an environment in which the result will be perceived to be achieved unfairly. The three murders that have accompanied the campaign point to the potential for incidents of violence to take place on election day. CMEV appeals to all concerned to ensure that the elections of May 20 are violence free and a manifestation of our commitment to a democratic polity.

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