At the end of the 24th day of the campaign, the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) had recorded 850 incidents of violence in the run up to the parliamentary election scheduled for October 10, 2000. This reflects an average of nearly 35 incidents per day, but CMEV notes with concern a trend towards the escalation of violence, with yesterday, September 27 accounting for 61 cases, the highest reported in a single day in the campaign thus far.

Major Incidents account for 55% of this total, and of these the PA is the alleged perpetrator in 57.3%, the UNP in 22.7%, the EPRLF in 1.3%, the JVP in 0.6%, and persons of unknown political affiliation in 15.9%. The presence of firearms has been recorded in 172 incidents (20.2%), of which the PA stands accused in 65.1%, the UNP in 10.5%, the EPRLF in 1.7% and persons of unknown party affiliation in 21.5%.

The provinces producing the highest number of incidents are Western (164), North Western (148) and Central (111), and considered together they account for 49.8% of all incidents and 50% of all Major Incidents recorded in the campaign so far.

Mr A D Sirideva, the 45-year-old JVP supporter shot in Matale by Police HQI K C Hapuarachchi on September 25th, succumbed to his injuries today, bringing the total of election-related deaths to 13. In another serious and blatant act of violence which took place in the Central Province at Morankanda in the Harispattuwa electorate on the 27th September at 7.30 pm, UNP Provincial Council Member Haleem and his entourage of around 20 persons were attacked at gun point, resulting in the hospitalization of 04 UNP supporters and the damage to three vehicles. The victims allege that they were set upon by a gang headed by Deputy Defense Minister Anuruddha Ratwatte's eldest son Lohan Ratwatte and PA Pradeshiya Sabha member Gunatilleke Rajapakse who had blocked the road using 06 military vehicles. It was further alleged by Mr Rajakaruna, Secretary to Mr Haleem, that the attackers had forced their victims to strip prior to the assault. Neither Mr Lohan Ratwatte nor Mr Rajapakse were available for comment, and the Police would neither confirm nor deny the veracity of the complaint.

In Amparai, intra-party rivalry allegedly resulted in an incident of arson where a shop owned by a prominent supporter of PA candidate Wimalaweera Dissanayake, Mr S A P Kumara Indrajith was burnt at around 1.30 am on September 27th, causing damage estimated at Rs 750,000/- Mr Indrajith alleges that he has been repeatedly threatened during the past week and warned against continuing to support Mr Dissanayake. Amparai Police have yet to make any arrests in this regard.

Two incidents from the Kotte electorate in the Colombo District highlight increased violence in the nation's capital. At around 12.30 am on September 26th the UNP Rajagiriya office was attacked, allegedly by supporters of Minister G L Pieris and Kotte Mayor and PA candidate Chandra Silva. The complainant G D Lanka Nanayakkara has lodged a police entry to the effect that 18 persons in 08 vehicles had stormed the office, damaging the structure and removing bulbs and banners from the premises. Mr Nanyakkara told CMEV that he observed that the vehicles used by the attackers displayed posters supporting Minister Peiris and Mr Silva. Two of the vehicles identified are a Pajero bearing licence number 62 - 0792 and a double cab (bearing a lorry number 226 - 6605). CMEV contacted the registered owner of the former license number - the Nittambuwa Peoplized Transport Service - but the NPTS General Manager Mr Ranjth Rupasinghe stated that his organisation did not own a Pajero. When contacted by the CMEV, the registered owner of the lorry number (226-6605) Mr. Kishan Tudor, Director Korbian Trading Pvt Ltd, alleged that his lorry number was illegally used on the double cab. The Police informed CMEV that their investigations were incomplete, but confirmed that such an incident had indeed taken place. In his police complaint however, Mr Nanyakkara has not identified Mr Silva's supporters as the alleged perpetrators. When contacted Mr Shiral Lakthilaka, Campaign Coordinator for Mr Peiris told CMEV that none of their supporters were engaged in pasting posters in the Rajagiriya area during the last few days, and that Mr Peiris has given specific instructions to all his supporters to ensure that the elections are free and fair.

Mr Athula Prasanna, a UNP organizer in the Kotte electorate, has complained that PA Candidate Chandra Silva had assaulted him at 4th Lane, Moragasmulla, Rajagiriya, at 7.30 pm on September 26th and warned him against serving as a UNP polling agent. Mr Silva denied that he was even present in the vicinity at that time. According to the Welikada police, Mr Silva who was called in for questioning made a statement to the police at 11.00 am this morning regarding this incident.

In the Jaffna peninsula at KKS postman Mr I Arulanantham has reported that he was robbed of 263 polling card envelopes (each containing 4 or 5 cards) by an armed man at approximately 9.15 am on September 26th. According to Arulanantham's complaint to CMEV his assailant had claimed to be from the Sankilian Group and had brandished a revolver.

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.

742 incidents of election violence have been reported to CMEV up to September 26, 2000, 570 of which have also been recorded at the Police Election Secretariat. Of the balance 172 incidents, 35 complaints have yet to come in to police headquarters from the regional police stations, 50 others have been recorded by the police as non-election incidents, and 87 have been received by CMEV only. The total of 57 incidents reported to CMEV on September 26, 2000, remains the second highest record of incidents in the current campaign, the highest being 59 on September 11, 2000. Eleven of these 57 incidents involved the use of firearms.

419 or 56.5% of all incidents are major ones, which include Murder (12), Attempted Murder (09), Hurt (108), Grievous Hurt (16), Assault (147), Threat & Intimidation (88), Misuse of State Resources (18), Robbery (04) and Arson (17). The 323 relatively minor incidents include Mischief (89), Threat (148), Damage to Property (48), Election Offences (13) and those classified as Other (25) and comprise 43.5% of the total.

Supporters of the PA are the alleged perpetrators in 389 incidents (52.5%), supporters of the UNP in 161 (21.7%), of the JVP in 06, of the EPRLF in 06, and persons of unknown political affiliation in 161 (21.7%). When only the major incidents are taken into account, the PA is allegedly responsible for 56%, the UNP for 24.3%, the EPRLF for 01.4%, and persons of undeclared affiliation for 15.8%.

Firearms have been used in 152 incidents or 20.5% of the total, which is a measure of the violence of this campaign. In comparison, firearms were used in 15.3% of all incidents during the Presidential Election in December 1999.

As regards individual perpetrators, CMEV has received two or more complaints against 13 candidates and/or their supporters, 12 from the People's Alliance and 01 from the UNP. D M Dassanayake PA candidate in the Puttalam District stands directly accused in 02 incidents and his supporters in 08 others, making a total of 10 alleged violations in all. Supporters of PA candidate Minister Maithripala Sirisena, in the Polonnaruwa district, are the alleged perpetrators in 10 incidents, while supporters of Puttalam PA candidate Priyankara Jayarathna are accused in 09 incidents.

PA candidate in the Anuradhapura district, D Dissanayake, and/or his supporters are the alleged attackers in 07 complaints, while his father Chief Minister Bertie Premalal Dissanayake's supporters have been cited in 02 further incidents, bringing the family total to 09.

06 complaints each have been lodged against PA Kegalle district candidate Mahipala Herath's supporters and UNP Gampaha district candidate Olitha Premathirathna, 04 each against supporters of Badulla district PA candidate Deputy Minister Dilan Perera, and Kurunegala district PA candidate and Chief Minister of the Wayamba Province S B Nawinna.

Supporters of PA candidates H R Mithrapala (Kegalle), Lalith Dissanayake (Kegalle) and H M Weerasinghe (Digamadulla) have been cited as alleged perpetrators in 02 complaints each received by CMEV.

Of the 742 incidents reported to CMEV, 312 (42%) are complaints received from UNP sources, 231 (31.1%) from the PA, 99 (13.3%) from the JVP and 48 (06.5%) from those without party affiliation. It is notable that 43 (18.6%) of the complaints received from PA supporters contain allegations against members of the PA itself.

The Western Province (140 incidents) has overtaken the North Western Province (133) as the most violent region, but Puttalam remains the district with the highest number of incidents (73), just ahead of Gampaha (72). The North-East (59) and Sabaragamuwa (67) are the least violent of the provinces. Excluding the North-East, N'Eliya (11) and Galle (18) have recorded the lowest frequency of violations in the campaign to date.

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 of September 25th 685 incidents have been reported to CMEV in the run-up to the parliamentary election of October 10, 2000. Of these, 390 (57%) are Major Incidents which include 12 Murders, 09 Attempted Murders, 101 acts of Hurt, 16 reports of Grievous Hurt, 134 Assaults, 82 acts of Threat and Intimidation, 18 cases of Misuse of State Resources, 03 Robberies and 15 acts of Arson. The relative preponderance of major incidents marks this election campaign as being comparatively more violent than others in the recent past.

Moreover, for the first time since the local government election of 1997, a single party is allegedly responsible for over 50% of the total number of incidents reported. The PA is the alleged perpetrator in 368 incidents (53.7%), the UNP in 142 (20.7%), the JVP in 06, and persons of unknown political affiliation in 144 (21%). In contrast, in the Wayamba Provincial Council election the PA was allegedly responsible for 45% of all incidents reported, in the local government elections for 46%, and in the Presidential election for 48%, while the UNP was accused in 22%, 24% and 26% in these elections respectively.

Supporters of the UNP have made 292 (42.6%) complaints, the PA 217 (31.7%), the JVP (13.3%), and persons of unknown political affiliation (05.7%). 42 (19.4%) of the complaints lodged by the PA are directed against its own members. There are no complaints recorded which reflect intra-party rivalry among any of the other parties.

The North-Western or Wayamba Province has recorded the highest number of complaints (128) closely followed by the Western Province (120). Together these two provinces account for 36.2% of all incidents reported. The lowest number of incidents have been reported from the North-East Province (54), Sabaragamuwa (62) and the Southern Province (74). In the North-Western Province alone the PA is allegedly responsible for 73 incidents, which is higher than the total number reported from two provinces and almost equal to another two.

At approximately 2.00 am on September 25,2000 the UNP office of Gampaha District candidate Gamini Guneratne was attacked, resulting in damage to the building, furniture and equipment. A motor cycle (116 - 4503) and a bicycle kept on the premises, as well as many files, posters and other documents, were dumped in the large pond which lies at the centre of the compound. The premises called Araliya Uyana belongs to Mr Anura Bandaranaike, and it is situated on the main Colombo-Kandy Road, within Horagolla, virtually opposite the People's Alliance office.

The watcher of the premises, Mr Saparamadu, informed CMEV that 04 persons had held him at gunpoint while approximately 15 - 20 others had ransacked the offices. According to him these four persons carried two-way radios and brandished pistols, forcing him to remain silent while they systematically trashed the office and meeting hall areas. Mr Saparamadu said that the entire incident lasted approximately 45 minutes, and that the attackers appeared to him to be professionals in what they did. He stated that he would be able to identify those who held him captive if he saw them again, and added that he thought they were members of the security forces. Mr Saparamadu said that the attackers came in 02 land rovers and 02 double cabs which were parked on the Kandy Road in the direction of Colombo. Mr Saparamadu has made a complaint in this regard at Police Headquarters under EIB 33/4. A leaflet supporting PA Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was found at the scene of the crime, and has been handed over to the Nittambuwa Police.

Mr Vijitha D Kumasaru, HQI Nittambuwa Police Station, informed CMEV that 100 police personnel had been deployed in the area surrounding the Horagolla Walauwe since September 15th as security for the September 26 SWRD Bandaranaike commemoration meeting. The heightened security presence in the area, the prominent location of the office and its proximity to the Bandaranaike ancestral residence as well as the People's Alliance office, the extent of the damage as well as the alleged time taken, all point to the perpetrators being persons who behaved as if they had some immunity from prosecution.

HQI Kumasaru stated that President Chandrika Kumaratunga had asked him for a report on the incident. When contacted at approximately 9.30 am, PA candidate Susil Premajayanth informed CMEV that he was unaware of the incident, while Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, who heads the PA list for the Gampaha District, was unavailable for comment.

The JVP held a protest rally against alleged police partisanship in Matale town at 11.00 am on September 25th, which was tear-gassed by the Matale police in front of the police station. A crowd of approximately 500 protesters who were present at the time, regrouped at the central bus stand in order to hold a meeting. At about 11.55 am, the police allegedly attacked this gathering under the direction of HQI K C Hapuarachchi. Mr A D Sirideva (45) from Ratupitiya, Kurunegala, received gunshot injuries in the melee and is now in the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital undergoing an emergency operation which was not complete at 11.45 pm on the 25th.

HQI Hapuarachchi told CMEV that his gun went off as a result of one of the protestors fighting with him at the bus stand. The police also allege that the JVP protestors hurled stones and bottles at them, which was denied by the JVP. Shop-owners in the vicinity told CMEV that the JVP rally was non-violent.

Matale police have arrested 14 protestors so far, including JVP Wayamba Provincial Council member Bimal Ratnayake and JVP Central Provincial Council member Dimuthu Bandara Abeykoon, both of who are candidates at the forthcoming election.

CMEV has recorded an incident of political victimization in which a police officer has been transferred as he did not turn a blind eye upon the illegal actions of PA candidate Cleetus Mendis' supporters. The original incident predates the election campaign but it has cast its shadow on the election, as the transfer was invoked on September 1, 2000. In this complaint, Cleetus Mendis' supporters have allegedly forcibly occupied a vacant block of land, currently used as a car park, within the Saint James Flats premises at Galwela Junction in Mutwal on July 2, 2000. In response to the opposition raised by the housing scheme's 88 residents, this group allegedly said that they were acting with the full cognizance of Mr Cleetus Mendis. The President of the Residents' Welfare Association, Mrs Sita Wijayawardena, lodged a complaint (CIB II 58/26) on the same day at the Modera Police Station. Mr Mendis was also warned by the OIC of the Modera Police Station, but the only outcome was that Mrs Wijayawardena was threatened by Mr Mendis' supporters.

Three of the alleged perpetrators, Messrs Anura Pushpakumara, G A Gnanaratne Lionel Lakshman Silva and K A Nilantha Gnanasena were arrested by the Police on OIC Chief Inspector Dehideniya's instructions and later released on bail (Case No: 14430/5). Subsequent to this incident, OIC Dehideniya was under a cloud, and his eventual transfer to the Borella Police Station, under MM No: D/MD/ADM/868/00, came into effect from September 1, 2000. Chief Inspector Dehideniya declined to speak to CMEV regarding his transfer, but the residents of the area feel strongly that he was victimized for standing up for their rights despite being subjected to political pressure.

CMEV wishes to highlight this example since the impartiality and even-handedness of the police is a sine qua non for the conduct of a free and fair election in the country. Reports from Puttalam, Kurunegala, Moneragala, Gampaha and Kandy districts, which CMEV will include in detail in a subsequent bulletin, indicate that the police have acted in a partisan manner in favour of PA candidates in these areas.

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