A total of 171 incidents has been recorded by the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence. This constitutes a cumulative total of incidents since the day of nominations (07 October 2005), of which 57 have been classified as Major Incidents and 114 as Minor Incidents. The most serious incident in the former category is the murder of the EPDP organizer in Pottuvil, Digamadulla District. Of the Major Incidents, the highest number has been recorded in the Colombo District and in terms of the category of offences, the highest number are of Assault (35), of which 07 have occurred in the Gampaha District.

CMEV notes that the level of violence throughout the campaign so far has been low and acknowledges the efforts of the Election Commissioner, Police and political parties in achieving this outcome. We also note the role of the independent commissions in this respect and strongly urge that all commissions be constituted as a matter of the utmost national priority. Concerns nevertheless exist with regard to the possibility of an increase in incidents towards the closing stages of the campaign.

An issue which has already been highlighted in the media is the decision taken by the Police not to release cumulative figures and details of incidents of election related violence. The Police spokesperson SSP Rienzie Perera has been quoted in the lead story of the Sunday Times of Sunday 30 October 2005, as saying that this decision has been taken in a bid to help reduce violence. CMEV is of the view that the public has a right to information pertaining to the conduct of the campaign by political parties, including that pertaining to incidents of violence. We acknowledge the support and cooperation extended to us by the Police in our monitoring work. Taking their concerns into account, CMEV will endeavour to ensure responsible reporting to the public of the level of violence and malpractice in the current Presidential election.

Particular concerns exist with regard to the North and East, where as a consequence of the No War / No Peace situation daily incidents of violence occur. Such incidents occurring during a Presidential election campaign have a direct bearing on the exercise of the franchise, though the incidents may not all be directly connected to the Presidential election. We appeal to all those responsible for the conduct of the poll, including the Police and the security forces to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to ensure a free and fair poll in the North and East. Furthermore, we appeal to all those responsible for the conduct of the poll, including the Police and the security forces, to ensure that the fullest exercise of the franchise there is not in any way obstructed or deterred and that all measures are taken to facilitate it. This is of overarching importance and constitutes the basis of CMEV’s decision to intervene in the fundamental rights petition to the Supreme Court filed by a presidential candidate on the conduct of the poll for voters in LTTE controlled areas.

At present CMEV has deployed field monitors in all polling divisions. CMEV will be deploying international observers in the North and East a week before polling day. These observers will be drawn from individuals with previous experience of monitoring with CMEV and others with field experience in human rights and development work. In addition to the field monitors currently deployed and the international observers, CMEV will be deploying an additional 30 monitors in each of the polling divisions on election day. This will bring the total of CMEV monitors on election day to approximately 5,000.

Given below is a sampling of incidents of violence recorded by CMEV since the close of nominations on 07th October 2005.

Southern Province

Galle District

Arson in Hiniduma. -
A UNP supporter, L.G. Gnanawathi and her family members received a death threat and were intimidated by 15 –20 JVP supporters at about 10.30 p.m. on 22nd of October 2005. Thereafter the alleged JVP supporters fired at the door of her house. No one was injured. A newly built boutique, owned by Gnanawathi’s son E.H. Padmasiri, was also set on fire by the attackers and completely destroyed.
Hiniduma Police, when contacted, informed CMEV that the suspects have already been taken into custody and produced before the Baddegama Magistrate. They have been remanded till 3rd of November 2005. According to the Police, further investigations are being conducted. Hiniduma Police confirmed the party affiliation of the arrested suspects to be JVP - an allegation denied by the JVP party office in Mapalagama in the Hiniduma area.

Matara District

Alleged Misuse of Sate Property in Matara -

Mr. Udeni J. Kalutantri, the Chairman, Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS), alleged to CMEV that the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has released 6 vehicles and 600 security guards attached to the SLPA to the campaign of the UPFA presidential candidate. Mr. Udeni J. Kalutantri, further emphasized that the vehicles and 600 security guards have been released on the approval of SLPA Executive Director Mr. RMPB Wikrama. The latter rejected all these allegations and Mr. KW Wikramasinghe, the Coordinating Secretary of Ports and Aviation Minister Mangala Samaraweera, told CMEV that no SLPA vehicles or employees are being used in the UPFA campaign in the Matara district.

North East Province

Ampara District

Pothuvil - EPDP organizer of Pothuvil, Aboobakar Sahabdeen (43), was shot dead by an unidentified person, close to his residence, at 4.30 p.m. on 10th October 2005 in Pothuvil. EPDP members hold the LTTE responsible for the murder. When contacted, Karathivu Police, OIC Sooriarachchi, informed CMEV that no suspects have been identified so far and that investigations are continuing.

Western Province

Colombo District

Colombo Central –
On 25th of October 2005, CMEV monitors reported an incident in front of the Fort railway station, in the Colombo District of Western Province, involving a clash between the Police and the supporters of the Patriotic National Movement (PNM). PNM supporters had organized a protest demonstration against a statement made by the UNP presidential candidate Ranil Wikramasinghe, regarding the number of brigades in the Sri Lankan armed forces. At 4.30 p.m. Police ordered the protesters to end the demonstration. The protesters did not adhere to the police order and consequently the Police used tear gas and baton charged them. When contacted, Sergeant S. Illangarathne of Fort Police informed CMEV that the protesters had not sought Police permission in advance for their demonstration. He further stated that they were violating election laws and therefore the Police had to act to maintain law and order. Eleven protesters including two Buddhist monks were taken into Police custody and later released on bail. Weerakoon, PC of Fort Police, was hospitalized after the incident in the 72 ward of the General hospital, Colombo.

At a press conference held on 26th October 2005, the PNM refuted the allegations made against them by the Police. The PNM stated that they were not given enough time to finish their protest demonstration in a peaceful manner and charged that the Police had used their powers to violate the fundamental rights of the public.

Colombo Central –
CMEV was informed that around 10.30 am on 5th October 2005, Mr. D.C Illesinghe, a leading activist of the Free Workers Union of the UPFA and Special Project Director of Lake House, along with a few other UPFA supporters was assaulted by a group of Lake House personnel who he identified as UNP supporters.
The assault allegedly took place inside Mr.Illesinghe’s office room within the Lake House office premises, following a gathering of UNP party activists in Lake House, to celebrate the declaration of support for the UNP candidate by the CWC.
It is further alleged that this group of UNP supporters including HASM Perera, JABJ Amarasinghe, Miuru Chinthaka, Somarathne Seram threatened other UPFA supporters within the Lake House premises the same day.
Following this incident the Fort Police took the alleged perpetrators into custody. They were later released on bail. Further investigations are being conducted by the Fort Police. A complaint was lodged with Fort police under CIB I 392/51. When contacted by CMEV, secretary of the Lake House branch of the Jathika Sewaka Sangamaya, Mr. Sunil Sendanayaka, denied all allegations made against UNP supporters in Lake House.

Colombo East –
UNP supporter Mr.T.H Vijitha Kumara Silva, was abducted at around 10.00 am on 7th October 2005 and latter released by an unidentified group of people traveling in vehicle no: 251-3625.
When contacted by CMEV, IP Perera of Bambalapitiya police, stated that the victim had been abducted and later released unharmed. He added that the victim at the time of the abduction, had been involved in pasting campaign posters of the UNP candidate.
It was later revealed that Mr. Saman Kumara Wikramaratne has been taken into custody by the Bambalapitiya Police (EIB 49/2), in connection with this abduction. The party affiliation of the perpetrators has not been established.

Moratuwa-
CMEV monitor reports that Mr.W.H.S. Aponsu, a UPFA supporter and security guard attached to the coordinating office of Minister Mr. Jeevan Kumarathunga, was stabbed by a group of unidentified persons at around 7.30pm, on the 27th of October. Later the victim was admitted to Panadura Hospital where he was treated for stab wounds to his left limb.
Mr.Gamini Witharana, Coordinating Secretary for Minister Mr.Jeevan Kumarathunga stated that Mr.W.H.S. Aponsu was assaulted and stabbed by a group of UNP supporters. When CMEV contacted Mr.Sujith Kumara, Coordinating Secretary for Mr.G.L.Peris, UNP organizer for Moratuwa, he categorically denied any involvement of UNP supporters and stated that they were not aware of such an incident.
HQI Nimal Ratnayake of Moratuwa Police informed CMEV that the victim was under the influence of alcohol, and dismissed any political motive for the stabbing.

Gampaha District

Assault in Biyagama –

Mr. Prasanna Sampath, Chairman of Biyagama Pradeshiya Sabha –UNP, was assaulted by a group of UPFA supporters led by Mr.Gunasiri Jayanarth, Member of Western Provincial Council at around 1.30 a.m. on 01st October 2005 at Delgoda town. A complaint has been lodged with Biyagama police with regard to this incident (EIB 1/101). When contacted by CMEV both Mr. Prasnna Sampath and Mr.Gunasiri Jayanarth admitted that the assault occurred while both parties were involved in campaigning in the vicinity of Delgoda town.
SI Wijyalal, OIC elections of Biyagama Police, informed CMEV that investigations are underway and that the Police are in the process of arresting the suspects in connection with the assault. He confirmed that the assault had taken place while both parties were involved in campaigning.
Mr.Gunasiri Jayanath, UPFA Member of Western Provincial Council, when contacted by CMEV, alleged that Mr. Prasnna Sampath, UNP Chairmen of Biyagama Pradeshiya Sabha, is using assets of the Biyagama Pradeshiya Sabha for electioneering. He pointed out that even when the assault took place, official vehicles of the Biyagama PS were at the site of the incident and added that on the day of the incident the UPFA staged a demonstration within the Biyagama BS premises to denounce the chairman’s abuse of state property.

Kalutara District

Assault in Mathugama -

Mr.Sudath Pascuel, a UPFA member of Mathugama Pradeshiya Sabha and Coordinating officer for Deputy Minister Kumara Welgama, was assaulted, allegedly by a group of UNP supporters led by Mr.Palitha Thewarapperuma, a UNP Provincial Council Member of the Western Province at around 10.30pm on 7th October 2005 at Yatadola junction in Mathugama.
When contacted by CMEV, Mr.Palitha Thewarapperuma denied the allegations of assault but confirmed that an argument with Mr. Sudath Pascuel occurred. Mr.Palitha Thewarapperuma stated that the argument arose when the UNP group approached a group of UPFA supporters led by Mr.Sudath Pascuel who were involved in electioneering. Mr. Thewarapperuma further added that this group was removing UNP posters and intimidating UNP supporters in the area. He also said that shots were fired in the air.
Mr.Sudath Pascuel denies the Mr Thewarapperuma’s allegations and in turn states that he was assaulted by a group of UNP supporters led by Mr. Thewarapperuma.
HQI, Kumaradasa Hettiarachchi of Mathugama police informed CMEV that investigations are underway with regard to this incident (EIB 2/3).

Central Province

Kandy District

Assault in Yatinuwara -

DDMRSB Dissanayake, station master of Kadugannawa railway station, and his wife, JMS Jayaweera were severely assaulted at his residence, No. 12, Station Master Quarters, Kadugannawa, by Sapumal Jayasinghe, a UNP member of the Yatinuwara Pradeshiya Sabha and others at 8.20 p.m. on 15th October 2005..

According to CMEV monitor reports, the alleged UNP supporters were pasting posters at the stationmaster’s residence and when his wife asked them not to paste the posters they had threatened her. Once the stationmaster entered the quarters, the perpetrators forcibly entered the premises and assaulted the residents with wooden batons. DDMRSB Dissanayake and his wife have been admitted to ward No.11 and 12 respectively in Kandy hospital on the same day with injuries to their hands, in particular.

When contacted, the Kadugannawa Police informed CMEV that the main suspect Sapumal Jayasinghe had been evading the Police and that the Kadugannawa Police had launched a joint search operation with the assistance of the Kandy Police to take the perpetrators into custody.

CMEV contacted MMJ Mohomad, secretary of Yatinuwara UNP organizer Nimal Gunasekara. He admitted to the pasting of posters at the Kadugannawa railway station but denied the allegations of assault made against the UNP supporters. He told CMEV that this attack had taken place once the UNP supporters had left the area.

Assault in Harispattuwa -

Rankoth Gedara Sirisena a JVP supporter, in a complaint to the Katugasthota Police under EIB 209/03, accuses Mr. Suranjith Kumara Wikramasooriya, the Chairman of Poojapitiya Pradeshiya Sabha, UNP, and two others (Sampath Sooriyabandara and Sampath Mangala Wikramasinghe) of an act of assault in front of the Ambathennna Puspadana College at Katugastota around 2.30 a.m. on 7th October 2005.

The victims of the assault, AN Punchinilame, RM Ratnayake and RG Sirisena were admitted to ward No. 1 of the Katugastota hospital with minor injuries. When contacted by CMEV, the Katugastota Police said that the suspects had been taken into custody and had been produced before the magistrate. According to the Katugastota Police OIC DW Diyakelinawala (IP) further investigations into the incident are being conducted.

Sabaragamuwa Province

Ratnapura District

Threat and Intimidation in Balangoda -

The Balangoda Police is investigating an incident involving firearms of threat and intimidation to UNP member of the Balangoda Pradeshiya Sabbah Mr. WM Wimalasiri at his residence, Wathukaragoda, Bombuwa, Balangoda around 3.10 a.m. on 10th October 2005.
The victim alleges that UPFA supporters threatened him and asked him to hand over weapons in his possession. He maintains to CMEV that he never had any weapons in his possession.
Mr Wimalasiri further maintained to CMEV that the Balangoda Police have failed to take prompt action on his complaint. He also maintains that despite this incident being clearly election related the Police have not treated it as such and entered his complaint under the CIB category – 325 -135. When contacted by CMEV, the OIC of Balangoda Police, IP P.G.Denakumbura stated that the investigations are being conducted to apprehend the perpetrators and the vehicle used in connection with this incident.

Threat and Intimidation in Ratnapura -

PD Senarath Wjesiri, a UNP supporter, in a complaint to the Kahawattta Police accuses UPFA supporters of threatening and intimidating him. He alleges that the incident took place at 3.30 a.m. on 18th October 2005 at Madampe junction.
Thereafter, he alleges, the UPFA supporters forcibly entered his boutique and destroyed three cases of soft drinks and two bulbs. When contacted by CMEV, PDTW Punchihewa (SI) of Kahawatta Police, stated that no suspects have been taken into custody and that further investigations are being conducted to apprehend those responsible for the incident.
Mr. Ashoka Jayawardana, the UPFA district organizer, Ratnapura, told CMEV that they are unaware of this incident.

North Central Province

Polonnaruwa District

Hurt in Polonnaruwa - The Aralaganvila police is investigating an incident of hurt, the victim being the president of the UNP Cluster Committee for Kalukele, Aralaganvila ,Mr. PMG Keerthiratne. He has been assaulted allegedly by Mr. DR Jayasinghe Bandara, a UPFA member of the Dimbulagala Pradeshiya Saba in Kalukele, Aralaganvila around 7.30 p.m. on 9th October 2005.
When contacted, W Jayasiri (PC) of Aralaganvila Police informed CMEV that the suspect has not been taken into custody so far and further investigations are being conducted.
Mr. Janaka Priyantha Samarasinghe, a UNP Provincial Council member of the North Central Province, told CMEV that the victim has sustained severe injuries. He alleged that the Aralaganvila Police was not performing their duties efficiently and impartially in arresting the perpetrators of the assault.
The victim was admitted to the Aralaganvila hospital for treatment of minor injuries on the same day. When contacted, Mr. ML Dharmasiri, the private secretary of Minister and UPFA Polonnaruwa District Leader Maithripala Sirisena, informed CMEV that they are unaware of the said incident.

North Western Province

Kurunegala District

Threat and Intimidation in Rathmale- L Namal Chaminda, a UNP supporter in a complaint to the Bingiriya Police (EIB- 154/20) on 26th October 2005 states that UPFA supporters LP Dayananda and LP Saman Jayatilake, carrying firearms, threatened him with death at around 1.00 p.m. at his residence in Rathmale.

When contacted, OIC Bingiriya, Mr. SS Wikramasooriya (IP) informed CMEV that they believe a shooting may have occurred. However, no evidence has been uncovered regarding the incident. According to the OIC Bingiriya, the alleged suspects are evading the Police. Efforts to apprehend them are continuing.

Mr. Upali Dasanayake, the UNP organizer of the Bingiriya, informed CMEV that the alleged UPFA supporters involved in this incident are hiding from the Police.

When contacted, Mr. Dharmasiri Dasanayake, the UPFA organizer Panduwasnuwara, rejected the allegations made against the UPFA supporters.

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