At 12.20 pm today, a
bus containing UNP supporters was shot at on the Thalunna road in the
Hungama area in Thangalle. Ms. Kusumawathie Kuruppuarachchi who
suffered gunshot wounds to the stomach was initially admitted to the
Thangalla hospital. She was subsequently transferred to the Matara
hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead
on arrival at the hospital, as confirmed by ward 6 staff of the Matara
hospital. 2 other persons with injuries were admitted to the Thangalle
hospital.

Also, at 1.00am this morning an unknown group lobbed a grenade at
the house of SLMC supporter Mr. M.B.S. Hussein’s located in Ottamawadi,
Valachchenai. Mr. Hussein called the police at the time of the incident
and the police arrived at the scene shortly after.  No persons were
injured, however windows, doors, and furniture of the house were
damaged. The CMEV monitor was informed of this incident by Mr. L.T.M.
Furkhan Pradeshiya Sabha member Valachchenai.

Read the full CMEV report here.

3 January 2010, Colombo, Sri Lanka: CMEV notes with concern the escalation of violence in the Presidential
Election. CMEV has received reports of 4 Major Incidents of election
related violence on 3 January. Instances of the use of fire arms have
gone up to 16. CMEV highlights the most recent two incidents in this
press release, including the clash between UPFA and NDF Supporters in Kiribathgoda.

Download the press release as a PDF here.

CMEV has recorded a
cumulative total of 316 Incidents of election related violence since
the issue of the Gazette Notification on 23^rd November 2009
announcing the Presidential Election.  Of these, 133 are classified as
Major and 183 as Minor incidents. The highest number of Major incidents
have been reported from the Hambantota(17) and Galle(11) Districts.

Included in this media communique are details of two major incidents. Read it in full here.