Press Releases

    Media Communiqué on Election-related Violence Eastern Provincial Council Election – 2008 9th May 2008 – 2200 hrs – Media Communiqué 1 The major incidents of election violence reported to CMEV are highlighted below. Other complaints alleging the misuse of State resources, distribution of state benefits, intimidation of party workers and other civilians were also reported to CMEV. Ampara District Explosion in Ampara An explosion took place at City Café, Main Street, Ampara Town at 5.40 pm this evening. CMEV was at the scene of the incident. The Ampara General Hospital told CMEV that 12 people have been killed in the blast and 30 have been injured, some seriously. The identity of perpetrators is unknown. Investigations are on going. Assault and Intimidation in Dehiattakandiya UNP Polling Agent and Branch Chairman of Dambunnaruwa party office, Dehiattakandiya, K.Amarasiriwardena was  assaulted by supporters of Minister Mervyn Silva on May 9 at approximately 11 a.m in the morning. One of the thugs allegedly stuffed posters into Amarasiriwardena’s mouth. Amarasiriwardena alleges that they came in eight vehicles and  that ‘Kudu Lal’was one of the thugs.  A complaint was made by the UNP to the Dehiattakandiya Police. According to the UNP the police failed to take timely action. The UNP also claims that there have been other incidents of this nature where the police have failed to take action. The UNP organized a protest opposite the police station this afternoon. When contacted by CMEV, the police stated that a complaint had been made and that  investigations  are on going. UNP Branch Chairman, Linton Hewage  was assaulted by thugs at his house which was being used as the UNP office in Bakmeedeniya on May 8 at 6.30 p.m. The thugs reportedly came in three vehicles (NA – 8284, 252 – 7323, 57 – 7768). A complaint has been lodged with the Dehiattakandiya Police (CIB/192/62). An office clerk of the Dehiattakandiya UNP Branch Office, Mr A.M. Abeyratne was assaulted by the thugs who came in the three vehicles listed above at about 3.30 pm today. A complaint has been lodged with the Dehiattakandiya Police (CIB/194/62). Mr H. K. Ranjith (candidate number 16 of the Independent Group Number 11) was assaulted this afternoon by the thugs who came in the three vehicles referred to above at the Independent Party Office in Sandunpura. It was reported that office equipment was damaged.    It was also reported that a gun was fired this afternoon near the Serupitiya Office of the UNP. The group which carried out the attack arrived in a Pajero number (SH – 5576). Media Coordinator of the UNP in Dehiattakandiya, Mr A.R.K. Bandara made the complaint to CMEV.    CMEV also observed that UPFA candidates’ posters are still being displayed in Dehiattakandiya. Police informed CMEV that they would be removed tomorrow. Batticaloa District Arson in Kathankudy Five houses owned by Usuf Lebbe Fatuma, Katch Umma, Siddique, Faleel and Iqbal in Kathankudi were set on fire between 4 a.m- 4.30 a.m on 9th May . The house owners are SLMC supporters. The attackers were  identified by Mr Farouk Majeed, Deputy Chairman of the SLMC as Amirali Durgam Moodil, M. Anwer and M. Hussain, UPFA supporters of candidate M. Hisbullah.   A police complaint was lodged with the Kathankudi Police (E1B 249/35). Following the incident, the Kathankudy Police confirmed that three people were taken into custody. Allegations against Minister Ameer Ali CMEV monitors reported a clash between UPFA supporters of Minister Ameer Ali and UNP supporters in Oddamavadi this evening.  The clash was subsequently resolved by the intervention of the OIC Police of the area.  No one was injured in the clash. CMEV spoke to the minister who denied any involvement in the violence.  Minister Ameer Ali also confirmed to CMEV that he had shut down the Kalkudah FM radio station which had  been  broadcasting from his son’s house. Trincomalee District Police Transfer ASP of Mutur, Premasiri Nawagamuwa was transferred to Trincomalee Police Station on May 8 2008.  S.P Vaas Gunawardena has been appointed as a replacement. Batticaloa District Potential Misuse of State Resources CMEV has reports of a number of CTB buses parked in front of the TMVP office in Batticaloa town. No one at the location could provide CMEV with an explanation for the presence of the buses at this location. Suspension of Mobile Telephone Communication   CMEV is gravely concerned by reports that mobile telecommunication access to and from the east will be suspended from tomorrow, polling day.  Were this to be the case, it would be an arbitrary restriction on the access and right to information of all citizens and of citizens in the east, in particular, on the day of their provincial polls.  Given that political parties and monitors have expressed their fears about the freeness and fairness of the provincial poll, such a restriction, if imposed, would only serve to reinforce these fears and undermine the credibility of the poll. Accordingly, CMEV calls upon the Election Commissioner to take the speedy action necessary to ensure that such a violation of democratic rights does not take place.                                                                         DR.PAIKIASOTHY SARAVANAMUTTU               MR. UDAYA KALUPATHIRANA               MS. SEETHA RANJANI       CO – CONVENOR                                                      CO – CONVENOR                                          CO – CONVENOR     Click here to download PDF Version

Media Communiqué on Election-related Violence Eastern Provincial Council Election – 2008 8th May 2008 – 16.30 – Media Communiqué 1 CMEV has been informed that journalists for the Associated Press were refused entry into Batticaloa town at the Valaichinnai military check point and they were also told that they had to leave the Eastern Province. They were informed that they needed permission from the Ministry of Defence to remain in the Eastern Province.   CMEV was also informed that the requirement of Ministry of Defence permission to remain in the Eastern Province was confirmed to them by General Palitha Fernando at the Minstry of Defence. Subsequently they were informed that they could remain.   CMEV spoke to Gen Fernando who stated that there was no restriction on journalists with Department of Information accreditation entering the Eastern Province and that for reasons relating to their security, restrictions would only apply to foreign tourists and visitors entering the Eastern Province over the next three days.   CMEV calls upon the authorities to facilitate the fullest media coverage to accredited journalists to cover the Eastern Provincial Council election and to ensure that this is clearly communicated to authorities in the three districts of the Eastern Province.  We further call upon the Elections Commissioner and his officials to ensure this.                                                                       DR.PAIKIASOTHY SARAVANAMUTTU               MR. UDAYA KALUPATHIRANA               MS. SEETHA RANJANI       CO – CONVENOR                                                      CO – CONVENOR                                          CO – CONVENOR   Click here to download PDF Version

  Media Communiqué on Election-related Violence Eastern Provincial Council Election – 2008 7th May 2008 – Media Communiqué 1     The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) will be monitoring the Eastern Provincial Council Election on 10 May 2008.  CMEV is currently constituted by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) the Free Media Movement (FMM) and INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre. Set up in 1997, CMEV has monitored every election since then.  It observed the elections to local government authorities in the Batticaloa District in April 2008. CMEV will be deploying 330 stationary monitors within selected polling centres across the Eastern Province and an additional 49 Mobile Teams. CMEV’s focus on election day as opposed to the entire campaign as well, has been  necessitated by financial constraints.  CMEV will issue reports on Election Day and a consolidated final report.   CONTACT INFORMATION Colombo Office Telephone Numbers Fax Numbers Ampara District 0115621886 0114714460 Baticaloa District 0112375263 0112375263            Trincomalee District 0115621904 0112375239 Emergency 0112375012     District Office Telephone Numbers Ampara 0632223735                Batticaloa 0602144140   Trincomalee 0779081956         District Coordinators Ampara Mr.Lakshman Perera 0773158281 Batticaloa Mr. Satheek 0776623467 Trincomalee Mr Karunaratne 0779690356       Field Coordinators Ampara Mr. Dissanayake 0716809730 Batticaloa Mr. Rasika Perera 0777312079 Trincomalee Mr. Udaya Kalupathirana 0773112628                                                                                                  DR.PAIKIASOTHY SARAVANAMUTTU          MR. UDAYA KALUPATHIRANA        MS. SEETHA RANJANI          CO – CONVENOR                                                             CO – CONVENOR                                          CO – CONVENOR Click here to download PDF Version