Since the close of nominations on 16th February 2006, CMEV has recorded a cumulative total of 256 incidents of election related violence. Of this total, 111 have been categorized as Major Incidents and of these, 68 are incidents of assault. The highest number of Major Incidents have been reported in the Colombo District (16), Kurunegala District (13), Anuradhapura District (11), Ratnapura District (11) and Gampaha District (08). The highest number of Assaults have occurred in the North Western Province (12). There have been 14 incidents involving the use of fire arms.

CMEV is concerned about the increase of election related violence in the last fortnight of the Local Election campaign. The incidents of violence relate to the competition for preferential votes as well as to the inter party competition for votes. The latter in particular has registered incidents relating to the competition between the PA and the JVP.

CMEV is also concerned about the allegations of Police bias. This is of particular concern given that the conduct of the Police was unanimously agreed to have been of a high standard in the General Election of 2004 and in the last Presidential Election _ November 2005. The establishment of the National Police Commission was identified as a primary reason for the latter and the present concerns serve to reinforce the arguments about the vital importance of reconstituting the Constitutional Council and the independent commissions in the interests of good governance.

NORTH CENTRAL PROVINCE

Anuradhapura District

Nuwaragampalatha East PS

Attempted Murder in Sucharithagama -

Mr. Bandula Marambage and T K Siritilaka, active supporters of JVP, were assaulted allegedly by a group of UPFA supporters led by Mr. Sanjeewa Kaluarachchi, UPFA candidate of PS at around 9.30 p.m. on 24 March 2006, in the vicinity of Vijayapura Junction in Sucharithagama. The victims of this incident have been admitted to the Anuradhapura base hospital for treatment. The two JVP supporters had been traveling after participating in an election propaganda meeting held at Sucharithagama when the alleged UPFA supporters attacked them with swords and iron bars.

CMEV contacted Mr. Ananda, the Chief JVP Organizer of Anuradhapura district, stated that one of the victims (Mr. Bandula Marambage) who is in critical conditions has been airlifted to Colombo General Hospital from the intensive Care Unit of Anuradhapura Hospital at around 11.15 a.m. while other victim remained at ward No. 01 of Anuradhapura Hospital.

When contacted, Mr Samarasinghe, PC of Anuradhapura Hospital Police Post, informed CMEV that no suspect has yet been taken into custody and further investigations are underway in order to apprehend suspects.

In addition, the alleged Mr. Sanjeewa Kaluarachchi, the UPFA candidate of Nuwaragampalatha East PS has also been admitted to Anuradhapura Hospital and later he had left the hospital without being discharged. However, he was admitted later to the same Hospital and discharged following treatment.

At around 1.30 p.m. on 25th March 2006, JVP supporters conducted a demonstration in Anuradhapura town, protesting over the alleged incident especially the conduct of the Police.

WESTERN PROVINCE

Gampaha District - Wattala Pradeshiya Sabaha

Murder in Hekitta-Wattala

Mr Payagalage Cyril Anthony, UPFA member along with two other party members were shot at around 1530hrs, in the vicinity of Hekitta Bridge in Wattala area, on 18th March, by an unknown group of people, causing grievous injuries to all three. Later Mr. Cyril Anthony succumbed to his injuries. The other victims were admitted to Ragama hospital with grievous injuries. According to CMEV monitors, this incident occurred while the victims were returning from a UPFA party rally in Hekitta.

When contacted by CMEV, SI Kosala Nawaratne of Wattale Police stated that investigations are underway to apprehend suspects and added that neither suspects nor motive for this shooting has been established.

Mr.Saman Dharmapriya, secretary of Mr.Sripathi Sooriyarachchi, UPFA MP for Gampaha District stated that the victim was a former leading supporter and an organizer of the UNP and had crossed over to the UPFA recently, along with a considerable number of UNP supporters.
Furthermore, Mr. Saman Dharmapriya, added that that Mr. Cyril Anthony and other victims were supporting the campaign of the UPFA Candidate Mr. Janaka Sooriyabandara and added that motives for this shooting may be connected with Mr.Cyril Anthony’s defection from UNP and his support for the campaign of Mr. Janaka Sooriyabandara.

Colombo District

Assault in Thalangama -

Ms. Omika Shyamali a JVP candidate contesting for Kaduwela PS, in a complaint to the Thalangama Police, accuses Mr. Sisira Wanniarachchi, a candidate for the Kaduwela PS, UNP, and a group of his supporters of an act of assault at Jothipala Mawatha in Thalangama around 2.00 a.m. on 23rd March 2006. Ms. Omika Shyamali and her supporters were pasting posters when the alleged UNP supporters attacked them. UNP PS candidate Mr. Sisira Wanniarachchi was present at the time of this attack.

When contacted, Ms. Nayani Erandhika, the Coordinating Officer of JVP Kaduwela office informed CMEV that amongst the victims were N Jayawardana, P Nawagamuwa, K Senarathne and few other JVP supporters. N Jayawardana is still in Kaduwela Hospital for further treatments. CMEV contacted Mr. Sumith, the Private Secretary of Mr. Sujeewa Senasinghe, the UNP organizer of Kaduwela and he categorically denied the allegations against his party members. He added that the complaint has been made by the JVP to put the UNP in a bad light.

CMEV contacted Thalangama 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.

SABARAGAMUWA PROVINCE

Kegalle District

Mischief in Rambukkana -

The Rambukkana Police is investigating an incident (EIB – 9/28) of damage to the party office of Ms. MADL Somaweera, a JVP candidate for Rambukkana PS, which is situated at Parape junction in Rambukkana at around 3.00 a.m. on 24th March 2006. Mr. A A Wimalasiri, a JVP supporter told CMEV that a group of UPFA supporters including venerable Gallage Thero, a UPFA candidate for the Rambukkana PS, destroyed the party office and election propaganda materials of the JVP.

Mr. Dyarathne SI of Rambukkana Police informed CMEV that the victim of this incident, Ms. MADL Somaweera had agreed to settle the issue with the alleged UPFA supporters.

SOUTHERN PROVINCE

Galle District –Nagoda Pradeshiya Sabha

Assault of JVP PC Member and party activists

JVP members Mr. Ramakrishnan Balakrishnan, Mr.Dhammika Haputhanthri and Mr. Anura Nishantha were assaulted by UPFA members around 2430hrs on the 26th by a group of persons allegedly led by UPFA members Mr. Bandula Hirimuthugoda and Mr. Rohana Hirimuthugoda at Walakumbura junction, in Nagoda area.

On the 26th morning a protest rally was organised by the JVP to highlight the lack of Police action on the above incident. When this rally was in progress, members of the UPFA allegedly attacked the demonstrators and caused serious injury to JVP Provincial Council member Mr. Thilakaratrne Withanaachchi and nine other JVP members. Later they were admitted to Karapitiya Teaching Hospital for treatment.

However, when contacted by CMEV the staff at Karapitiya Teaching Hospital stated that Mr Thilakaratne Withanaachchis injuries were not serious in nature and that he was undergoing treatment.

When contacted, the OIC of Nagoda Police Station Chief Inspector Anura Premaratne stated that investigations were ongoing but that no arrests have been made.

Mr Ajit Kumara JVP MP for Galle District stated that the JVP completely condemns such brutal and senseless assaults on members of their organisation and called upon the Nagoda Police to take swift action to apprehend suspects in connection with the two incidents. Furthermore, MP Ajith Kumara alleged that the Police are acting in a biased manner towards JVP members.

CENTRAL PROVINCE

Kandy District

Illegal Possessions of Explosions in Kandy

Kandy Police is investigating an incident (OIB 99/135) of the illegal possession of T-56 bullets, two hand grenades and some election propaganda printed in a foreign country. These items were found in a vehicle owned by Mr. Vipula Ranasinghe, a candidate for the UC, Kandy at around 11.45 a.m. on 24th March 2006 at Mawilmada in Kandy.

CMEV contacted Mr. Marapana, the coordinating officer of Kandy UNP party office. He admitted that the explosives were inside their vehicle but categorically denied any involvement of UNP supporters in this case. He added that some unknown person has purposely kept the explosives in their vehicle in order to put them in trouble.

Mr. Ananda SI of Kandy Police informed CMEV that further investigations are in the process regarding this incident under the supervision of Mr. H Abesinghe OIC operations, Kandy Police.

Kandy District – Nawalapitiya - Urban Council

Alleged illegal collection of Polling Cards by UPFA members

UNP Candidate Ms Nirupa Irangani Karunaratne, lodging a complaint (CIB 68/94) with Nawalapitiya Police on 26th March, stated that Polling Cards were being collected from UNP party supporters in the Imbulapitiya area by an unknown group led by an individual identified as one Amal.

When contacted by CMEV, PC Chandrasekera (20536) of Nawalapitiya Police stated that a magistrates Order was obtained to search the residence of the alleged leader of this group and following the search no evidence of any polling cards were found. However, PC Chandrasekara stated that further investigations are underway in connection with this incident.

Kandy District – Gangawata korale Pradeshiya Sabah

Mr.D.K Keerthi Tissa, a Grama Niladhari of Thennekumbura in Kandy District was assaulted allegedly by Mr.Saddhatissa Dassanayake, UPFA Candidate for Gangawata korale Pradeshiya Sabah over an incident where the victims had refused to issue a false Identity Document to the alleged assailant.

Mr. Keerthi Tissa, lodging a complaint with Kandy Police on 27th March (CIB 10/392) alleged that he was approached by Mr.Saddhatissa Dassanayake, UPFA Candidate who had allegedly requested a false ID document. When it was refused, Mr. Keerthi Tissa alleges that he was assaulted by the UPFA Candidate.

SI Appuhamy of Kandy Police, when contacted by CMEV confirmed that such an incident had taken place and stated that the Police is conducting further investigations; however, no arrests have been made in connection with this incident.

UVA PROVINCE

Monaragala District - Thanamalvila Pradeshiya Sabaha

Mr.J.B.A Priyantha Kapila, UPFA candidate for Thanamalvila Pradeshiya Sabha, was reported missing since 26th February 2006. It is alleged that he had left his residence for a court case in the Hambantota District Courts. He was last seen in Mayurapura Junction.

Mrs.Gallagegedara Malkanthi, wife of the victim has lodged a complaint with Sevenagala Police on the same date and later investigations were forwarded to Ambalantota Police under EIB 106/2006.

When contacted by CMEV, Sevenagla Police rejected the allegation that this incident is Election related and further added that there are no such elections related cases in the Sevenagala area. However, the Ambalantota Police is of the view that this incident may be elections related.

Mrs. Malkanthi, when contacted by CMEV, stated that her husband had no known enemies and further added that they were planning to visit the Kataragama Temple in the evening of the day Mr. Priyantha Kapila disappeared.

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