By 1100hrs, CMEV has recorded reports of 60 incidents of election related violence, with the Puttalam and Kandy Districts recording the most number of incidents. The incidents in the Kandy District are the most serious in nature. Of the total number of incidents, 18 have been classified as Major Incidents and 42 as Minor incidents. Of the Major Incidents, the highest number have been recorded in the Kandy District and in terms of the category of offenses carried out by each party on Election Day, 26 incidents have been recorded against the UPFA, 21 against the UNP and 5 against JVP.

CMEV has deployed 45 Field Monitors, 20 Mobile teams comprising 40 CMEV observers and approximately 600 Polling Center Observers covering most of the areas where the Local Government Election is being held.

CMEV monitors in some areas, including Kesbewa (No.29, Somaweera Chandrasiri Vidyalaya) have encountered difficulties in gaining access to Polling Centers in the early hours of voting due to various reasons. These include denial of access by the Police.

CMEV monitors have also reported instances where Polling Centers have run out of Finger Print cards, intended for voters with no ID documentation. CMEV monitors have also reported instances in which Polling Center staff have used exercise books to record the finger prints of voters, instead of using finger print cards.

Following is a sample of notable incidents reported to CMEV by 1100hrs. The incidents reported in the Nawalapitiya Urban Council area are serious in nature. CMEV mobile monitors in the area continue to report that the situation around the four Polling centers covering Nawalapitiya Urban Council, is tense.
Kandy District-Nawalapitiya Urban Council

CMEV monitors reported an incident where Polling cards and Identity Documents were forcibly collected during the early hours of 30th March in the Nawalapitiya area. It is alleged that this took place in the vicinity of the Kathireshan Kumara Maha Vidyalaya in Nawalapitiya.

CMEV also has reports of an incident in which two UNP supporters were assaulted allegedly by supporters of Mr.Mahindanada Althugamage, UPFA MP for Kandy District, at around 0730hrs, in the vicinity of Nawalapitiya town. A complaint has been lodged with Nawalapitiya Police under EIB 383/81. No suspects have been taken into custody over this incident.

In Nawalapitiya Kanishta Balika Vidyalaya, Polling center No.04, CMEV monitors have observed a large group of UPFA supporters obstructing voters and congregating around the polling center. Furthermore, CMEV Polling center Observer attached to the said polling center reports of incidents involving the use of false ID documentation for voting by an unidentified group of people. No opposition party polling agents are present in this center.

Kandy District- Galagedara Pradheshiya Sabha

UNP Polling agent for Gehideniya Madihe No.29 Polling Center was assaulted around 0700hrs, allegedly by UPFA supporters in the vicinity of the Polling Center, and chased away.

Colombo District- Dehiwala-Mt.Lavinia Municipal Council

UPFA supporters congregating around the Polling center No.33 Presbiterian Collage in Dehiwala, preventing opposition party voters’ access to the Polling Center.

Gampaha District- Attanagalle Pradheshiya Sabha

CMEV monitors in Polling Center No.28, Wataddara Sumanaramaya in Attanagalle Pradheshiya Sabha report that UPFA supporters were transporting voters to and from the Polling center.

Anuradhapura District- Ipalogama Pradheshiya Sabha

Systematic impersonation in No.02 Kalawewa Muslim Maha Vidyalaya, allegedly led by UPFA supporter Mr.Niyaz Hajiyar, using few vehicles and in organized groups, reported.

Puttalam District- Arachchikattuwa Pradheshiya Sabha

UNP Candidate Mr.Sudath assaulted by a group of UPFA supporters led by Mr. Ranjith. This incident took place in the vicinity of Polling Center No.31 Mandalana Government School in Chilaw area at around 0930hrs.

Puttalam District- Puttalam Pradheshiya Sabha

Incident where a Group of UPFA supporters led by UPFA candidate Mr. Sunil Fernando congregating around Polling Center No.01,Manalthivu Tamil Junior School has been reported to CMEV at around 1030hrs. Furthermore, it is alleged that this group had assaulted and prevented a number of UNP supporters from voting and also one individual had been admitted to Puttalam Hospital after sustaining injuries.

Puttalam District- Chilaw Pradheshiya Sabha

UNP supporters reported an incident where UPFA members Sunil, Anil and Ashoka allegedly collecting Polling Cards from voters in the vicinity of Polling Center No.44, Suduwella Junior School in Chilaw area.

Digamadulla District- Sammanthure Pradheshiya Sabha

JVP Candidates Mr.Adam Bawa Buhari and Mr.M.S Sinnarasa are alleged to have threatened a Police Officer in the vicinity of Polling Centers No 23 & 25, Al-Arsath Maha Vidyalaya, in Sammanthure. Furthermore, its alleged that this incident took place when the Police had stopped the two candidate from transporting a number of Polling Cards.

Digamadulla District- Sammanthurai Pradheshiya Sabha

CMEV monitors reported an incident where it is alleged that Police and STF officers intimidated and chased away voters in the vicinity of Polling Center No.22, Al Ashar Vidyalaya, at around 1045hrs. Furthermore, CMEV monitors report Police involvement in systematic impersonation at the said polling center.


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