As at September 11, 2000, a total of 204 incidents of election-related violence and violations has been reported to the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV). The campaign period of the 2000 General Election is only one week old but it already shows signs of being one of the most violent in Sri Lanka in recent times.

The rapid escalation of violence is evidenced from the fact that September 11th alone produced 59 incidents, which is more than twice the number on any previous day in the campaign. Moreover, the analysis of these violations on the basis of their seriousness indicates that 124 incidents (61%) are major ones, while 80 (39%) are relatively minor. In contrast, in the 1999 Presidential election, 48% of all incidents were classified as major, while 52% were minor incidents.

Of the 124 major incidents reported, Murders account for 06, Attempted Murders for 04, acts causing Hurt for 31, Grievous Hurt 02, Assault 40, Threat & Intimidation 26, Arson 04, and Misuse of state resources 11. The People's Alliance is allegedly responsible for 68 major incidents or 55% of the total. If one considers only the incidents in which the alleged perpetrator has been identified by political party, the PA is being held accountable for 67% of the total and the UNP for 28%. The UNP is accused in 28 serious complaints, the JVP, EPDP and MEP in one each, while persons of unknown political affiliation are allegedly responsible for 23 incidents.

Supporters of the PA are the alleged perpetrators in 101 incidents (49.5%), the UNP in 46 (22.5%), the JVP in 05 (02.5%), the EPDP in 02 (01%), the MEP in 01, and persons of unknown party affiliation of 43 (21%). This means that the PA is allegedly responsible for approximately twice the number of incidents alleged against all the other political parties taken together. In the case of serious incidents this difference is even more striking.

In terms of the actual complaints themselves, supporters of the PA have made a total of 65 allegations (32%), and it is notable that 12 of these (19% of all PA complaints) are against fellow-members of the PA. The PA is the only party that has recorded complaints against its own supporters. 34 of the PA complaints (52%) are directed against the UNP and 05 against the JVP. 54 of the 73 complaints lodged by the UNP (74%) are directed against the PA, as are 19 of the JVP's 29 complaints (66%). The JVP has 02 complaints against the UNP, but the only complaints against the JVP are from the PA. 20complaints have been lodged against persons of unknown political affiliation, of which 13 are by the PA and 04 by the UNP.

Another emerging feature of this first phase of the campaign is the relatively high incidence of firearm use. In the 1999 Presidential election firearms were allegedly used in approximately 15% of all incidents, and this final figure reflected a sharp increase in the closing stages of the campaign. Here allegations of firearm use already exceed 19% with the electioneering hardly begun. The PA stands accused in 46% of these incidents, the UNP in 13% and unknown persons in 14 (36%). Of these cases in which the alleged perpetrator has been identified, the PA allegedly accounts for 72% or nearly three-fourths.

The North-Western or Wayamba has proven to be the most violent thus far with a total of 46 incidents, followed by the Central and Western Provinces with 30 and 28 respectively. The Southern Province has recorded the lowest incidence of violence (16) followed by Sabaragamuwa and the North-East (19 each). In terms of a district breakdown, Puttalam has been the most violent recording 28 incidents which is more than twice every other district except Kurunegala (18), Gampaha (15) and Kandy (15). In fact, Puttalam alone has recorded more incidents than all of the other provinces excluding the Central Province, providing troubling a resonance of the Wayamba Provincial Council elections.

The misuse of state resources for electioneering by candidates of the PA, notably official vehicles and infrastructure, has been reported from the Badulla, Ratnapura and Colombo districts. It is alleged that attempts have been made to use professional and other organizations of state employees to canvass for votes on behalf of the PA. For instance, it is alleged that PA candidate Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra convened a meeting of the Colombo Zonal Principals' Association on September 8, 2000 at 7.30 pm at the Manel Festival Hall in Dematagoda in order to obtain their assistance in his election campaign.

Though the office bearers of the association deny that this was an official meeting, their individual statements to CMEV remain contradictory and vague. CMEV has confirmed that 20 - 25 principals were present on this occasion, a number of whom were unaware that it was convened as a political support group for PA candidate Premachandra. The main item on the agenda was to plan the systematic involvement of school principals and teachers in Mr Premachandra's campaign in the entire Colombo region. Mr Premachandra told CMEV that this was not a meeting of principals, but an ad hoc group of his supporters. In another incident, it is alleged that both Mr Premachandra and PA candidate Bennet Cooray obtained 22 buses from the Meetotamulla Depot (including buses bearing registration numbers 63 - 1987, 63 - 0771, 62 - 4418 and 62 - 8335) on September 4, 2000, for which no payment was made.

In Badulla it is alleged by the JVP and UNP that PA candidate Nimal Siripala de Silva has trained a cohort of approximately 60 young men and women to conduct his election propaganda activities in the district, paying them a stipend of Rs 250/-per day from Health Ministry funds. It is further alleged that these youth have received jobs in the Ministry of Health, on the basis of which they have been deployed for Mr de Silva's election campaign.

The attack on a motorcade of UNP candidates Karu Jayasuriya, Anura Bandaranaike, Jayalath Jayawardena and John Ameratunga at around 5.30 pm on September 11, 2000 at the Alapitiwela junction on the Mahabage - Ragama Road, has resulted in three persons being admitted to the Colombo National Hospital with gunshot injuries. One of those injured is Mr Ranjith Bandara, Coordinating Secretary to Karu Jayasuriya. The UNP alleges that PA candidate Sunil Mendis and his supporters were responsible for this act of violence.

Incidents of serious intra-PA violence have been recorded from Kalawana and Galgamuwa on September 09th and 10th respectively, in the case involving use of firearms and the hospitalization on the victim, and in the second damages to a vehicle and assault.

Special Report on Jaffna District

CMEV visited the Jaffna peninsula from September 6 - 7, 2000 in order to assess the pre-election context and to meet with both candidates and officials. On the basis of this visit, CMEV has concerns regarding the large numbers of displaced voters, the provision of alternate polling centres for voters living in "uncleared" areas, the carrying of firearms by candidates and supporters during the election campaign, the lack of adequate security at polling centers, issues related to the inability of some parties to campaign in certain areas of the peninsula, particular the islands, as well as the over-arching context of the ongoing military offensive which renders all thoughts of democracy an irrelevant luxury to a population that fears for its very survival. These crucial issues need to be addressed as a pre-requisite to providing the minimal conditions for making the forthcoming elections meaningful.

Internal (and External) Displacement of Voters:
The latest available figures indicate that 246,775 persons have been displaced due to the latest phase of the conflict since March 2000. Of these, only 141,897 (58%) are currently living within the peninsula. Of the approximately 612,770 voters (Total Registered for 1999 Presidential Election) in the Jaffna District, only 117,549 ((19.18%) voted at the Presidential election. Based on discussions with relevant officials in the area, CMEV estimates that the resident voter strength in the peninsula at present is between 200,000 and 250,000.

To consider a typical example, it is estimated that only approximately 200 people are currently living on the island of Mandaitivu which has 2,861 registered voters. It is not known how many of these nearly 3000 voters are displaced within the peninsula. The situation in the other 10 island areas which come under the Kayts electoral division is similar, raising concerns as to the credibility of an election which is being held in the area under these circumstances. The Returning Officer for the district, the Government Agent, Jaffna assured CMEV that public transport will be arranged on election day to assist displaced voters from the region to reach their respective polling centres. However, in the absence of any systematic verification of identity, such a situation lends itself to impersonation on an organized scale on the one hand, while depriving hundreds of legitimate voters who have no physical access to any polling centre on the other.

CMEV understands that ad hoc polling centres will be established within the "cleared" areas of the Jaffna peninsula to accommodate voters living in "uncleared" regions as well as those displaced due to the recent offensive. In addition, similar polling centres located in Vavuniya and Colombo may be set up as on previous occasions for the same purpose. However, this measure does not provide any real relief to the voter who is currently resident in "uncleared" areas, nor does it provide any safeguards against voting under the same name in more than one such centre.

Campaigning while carrying arms:
The real and perceived threat of the LTTE provides the alibi and justification for the militant groups to conduct their election campaigns in the peninsula while carrying automatic weapons. Party offices in the region resemble war camps, and there is a pragmatic sense in which it is foolish to expect otherwise. Yet, this scenario does not allow for the unfettered exercise of the public franchise, and it is all the more problematic when not all candidates are equally equipped with arms.

Misuse of state resources:
As in the South, here too CMEV cautions against the misuse of state resources for the benefit of select parties or individuals. The provision of special powers to EPDP leader Douglas Devananda appointing him Chairman of the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee has led to an anomalous and iniquitous situation in the region, as he is concurrently a candidate for the election.

The ongoing conflict:
The current offensive by the state military has resulted in further dislocation of civil life in the peninsula. For instance, in the Gurunagar region alone approximately 5000 fisher families have been deprived of their livelihood due to the ongoing battle for control of the area. The uncertainty of the conflict makes it impossible for them to plan for the future in their home territory, while the military does not condone even temporary relocation for employment purposes. Large numbers of people have left their homes due to the shelling by both sides, and this is certainly not an appropriate context for the unfettered exercise of their franchise.

Lack of Resources
CMEV understands that the Returning Officer has requested additional 100 buses as an urgent need for election-related transportation. Given the current military situation, however, it is most unlikely that this need will be met. The Police only have adequate strength to deploy two officers per polling centre, which is insufficient to ensure even a minimal normalcy in a context where armed militant groups are contestants at the election.

CMEV's second daily report issued at the end of September 5, 2000, records a total of 60 election violations to date. Of these 42 (70%) are major incidents, while 18 (30%) are relatively ones. The number of murders recorded thus far has risen to 04, all of which, it is alleged, are the responsibility of the People's Alliance. Of the major (or serious) violations, 10 out of the 11 incidents of hurt, the only record of grievous hurt, 04 of the 14 incidents of assault, and 04 of the 12 reports of threat & intimidation are alleged to have been committed by supporters of the PA. The UNP has allegedly been responsible for 01 act of hurt, 8 assaults, and 01 threat & intimidation. The JVP is held accountable for 01 assault, while persons of unknown political affiliation for 01 assault and 07 acts of threat & intimidation.

The ratio of serious (or major) incidents in relation to relatively minor ones remains higher than in other elections, and the use of firearms has been recorded in 16 incidents (27%) which is over twice the average of the presidential and provincial council elections.

Reports of the misuse of government resources continue to reach CMEV from the provinces, and the post-nomination motorcades have also resulted in violence and bloodshed, as in the Amparai district. In the most violent incident recorded so far, at Waripathanchenai in the Sammanthurai electorate one person was killed, another is in critical condition in the Kandy hospital, while five others are undergoing treatment in the Amparai hospital.

The deceased, Mohammed Aliyar Mustapha, a resident of Akkaraipattu, was a supporter of UNP candidate Mr Sehu Issadeen, as is M A Mahroof (24), an undergraduate, whose life hangs in the balance. Of the five others injured, three are UNP supporters and two are from the PA. The three UNP supporters are being treated for assault-related injuries, while the PA supporters have gunshot wounds. Accounts of the series of incidents that led to the death include allegations and counter-allegations between UNP and PA candidates and supporters.

It is alleged that UNP candidate M Mustapha's motorcade destroyed a cut-out of Minister M H M Ashraff near the Mosque at Waripathanchenai on their return from the submission of nominations on September 4, 2000. This incident allegedly led to SLMC/PA supporters attacking the motorcade of Mr Issadeen who passed by later. In the melee that ensued, it is alleged that Mr Issadeen's security personnel used T56 rifles and damaged a shop in the vicinity. Mr Issadeen alleges that his supporters were shot at by supporters of the SLMC. As Mr Ashraff was unavailable for comment, CMEV approached former SLMC General Secretary Rauff Hakeem, who denied that his party had any hand in this attack.

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.

32 incidents of election-related violence have been reported to the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) since the dissolution of parliament on August 18, 2000. Of these, 15 were directly reported to CMEV, while 17 were obtained from Police complaints forwarded to the Police Election Secretariat.

Of these incidents 21 (or 66%) have been classified as Major Incidents which include acts of Murder (03), Hurt (05), Grievous Hurt (01), Assault (07), and Threat & Intimidation (05). Minor Incidents, classified as acts of Mischief, Threat, Damage to Property, Election Offences and Other, account for 11 (34%) of the total. This increase in the percentage of major incidents reflects a more violent tendency than in the elections of the recent past, where major incidents accounted for well under 50% of the total, as in the 1999 Presidential Election where 48% of major incidents were recorded.

Moreover, the fact that 32 incidents have already been reported to CMEV even before nominations have closed for the General Election does not portend well for the 40 days of campaigning ahead. Of the total complaints received, supporters of the PA are allegedly responsible for 12 (38%), the UNP for 09 (28%), the JVP for 02 (06%), and persons of unknown political affiliation for 07 (22%). This preliminary scenario points to a wider spectrum of violence than in previous elections, with the UNP and PA both allegedly involved in acts of major violence.

In examining the profile of alleged violations by political parties, the PA stands accused of 11 major incidents, comprising 3 murders, 5 incidents of hurt, 01 grievous hurt and 02 assaults, while supporters of the UNP have allegedly committed 03 assaults and 01 act of threat & intimidation. JVP supporters are allegedly responsible for 01 assault, while persons of unknown political affiliation have allegedly committed 01 assault and 04 acts of threat & intimidation.

The most serious complaint received yesterday (September 3, 2000) concerns a murder allegedly committed by PA Sabaragamuwa Chief Minister Athauda Seneviratne's Security Officer Mr Sunil Samarasinghe at the Walagambagama Village in the Ruvanwella electorate. In this incident a soldier on leave from the North was killed instantly by a shot to the head as a result of an altercation. CMEV is unable to determine the exact cause or sequence of events due to the conflicting and confused reports surrounding it, but it does appear that political pressure is being brought to bear on the Police. However, it is clear that the firearm of a ministerial security officer was the weapon used in the killing, and that an official government vehicle was involved in the incident. CMEV has maintained that a free and fair election can only be ensured through a disarming of ministerial security and private militias, as well as the prevention of misuse of state resources for party political gain.

Another feature of grave concern to CMEV has been the incidence of intra-party violence at such an early stage of the campaign. Reports from Anuradhapura allege that PA Deputy Minister H B Semasinghe and two others suffered head injuries as a result of an attack by supporters of PA North-Central Province Chief Minister Bertie Premalal Dissanayake at 2.00 am on September 4, 2000 at Kadapanaha.

Notable in the preliminary phase of this election is the systematic misuse of government vehicles to provide cavalcades for ostentatious nomination parades. For instance, reports from Badulla allege that Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has used both PTS buses from the Piliyandala depot (bearing numbers 62 - 5865 and 23 Sri 1004), as well as 11 ministry vehicles (for instance, 65 - 1547, 62 - 1305, 64 - 3222 and 58 - 1520) for electioneering. Despite repeated attempts, Mr Nimal Siripala de Silva was unable for comment. Reports from Ratnapura also indicate that Sabaragamuwa Bus Company vehicles were used from the Balangoda and Ratnapura depots in the PA nomination entourage. Similar accounts have been obtained by CMEV in the Puttalam and Wellawaya areas, in both of which the PA is allegedly responsible for misuse of government vehicles.

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