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.

As of 8th January
2010, CMEV has confirmed a cumulative total of 281 incidents of
election related violence of which 117 incidents have been categorized
as Major. Of these, 36 incidents are of Assault, 31 are of Threat and
Intimidation, 18 of Grievous Hurt, 7 incidents of Hurt, 6 incidents of
Attempted Murder, 11 cases of the Misuse of State Resources and 4
incidents of Robbery and Arson respectively. The total number of
incidents involving the use of firearms is 38. In addition, 164
incidents have been categorized as Minor.

Out of 117 Major incidents, 85 incidents have been reported against
the ruling UPFA – this being the highest number reported against any
one party. Of the total figure of 281 incidents, the UNP had been
accused as the perpetrator in 15 incidents and the JVP in 6. Incidents
of violence are increasingly being reported from the Southern province
(67), North Western province (44) and North Central province (39).

CMEV reiterates its concern about the upward trend in election
related violence and calls upon all concerned, especially the Election
Commissioner and his officials, the Police and political parties to
take all necessary steps to deter such violence and to deal with those
who are responsible for it. We call on all presidential candidates to
demonstrate their commitment to eradicate political violence and
malpractice.

Read the media communique in full, with more details on incidents reported, here.