Press Releases

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Mr Mahinda Deshapriya, Commissioner of Election, Election Secretariat Sarana Road, Rajagiriya. 27th December 2014 Dear Sir, CMEV was informed that the Independent Television Network (ITN) is conducting a programme named ‘Juriye Katha’, a election propaganda programme in favour of President Mahinda Rajapaksha and held at Lake Front Hotel in Kanthalai, a hotel which is maintained by Navy Officers. People in the area have been transported to view this programme via SLTB bus (WP NA 49 79) belonging to the Kanthalai Depot. Many politicians including the Minister of Disaster Management Mahinda Amaraweera are participating in this programme. Three types of government property are being misused in connection with this programme. This is in direct violation of the media guidelines issued by your department recently. CTB bus The Hotel run by the NAVY ITN which is a State Chanel The programme is being live telecasted now (9. 30 p.m.) Please take necessary steps with regard to this as soon as possible. Thank you. Yours sincerely, National Coordinator Manjula Gajanayaka CMEV

Download as PDF here. Download the press release in Sinhala here. ### 24th December 2014 Colombo, Sri Lanka: Second day of the postal voting continued today with a few incidents reported. At present 61 incidents have been reported with 27 Major Incidents and 34 Minor Incidents. Major Incidents include assault, threat and intimidation, misuse of state resources, incidents related to election officers and the intimidating presence of party activists and supporters. Minor Incidents relate to election offences. The day commenced with a clash at Sirikotha, headquarters of the United National Party (UNP). CMEV was informed that a group of about 1000 persons had protested in front of Sirikotha at about 10.45 in the morning, demanding information on the alleged secret pact between the Common Opposition Candidate Maithripala Sirisena and UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe. At the time of the protest, around 1500 people were at Sirikotha attending a workshop for teachers. CMEV was informed by Mr. Ivan Silva, Assistant to Mr. Rajiv Senavirathne who is the Chief of Operation Room at Sirikotha, that the protest was organised by the National Freedom Front and backed by its leader Wimal Weerawansa. According to Mr. Silva, persons suspected with ties to the NFF namely Mr. Jeewantha Jayathissa, Mr Mahinda Samarathunga, Mr. D.M. Senavirathene, Mr. Anura Atapattu, Dr. Wasantha Bandara, and the husband of UPFA Pradeshiya Sabha Member, Mrs. Priyanka Kothalawala were present during this protest. It was reported by an eye -witness that the above mentioned persons arrived at the scene in vehicle number GI8272. CMEV was informed by Mr.Prasad Manju, Media Secretary to Mr. Weerawansa that the protest was organised by Dr. Wasantha Bandara representing the Jathika Sanwidana Ekamuthwa. The Anti-riot Squad and officers from Mirihana Police Station were bought in to disperse the gathering and control the crowd. The fight between the two groups had resulted in damage to property including a Buddha statue located in the premises. According to Dr. Bandara about seven or eight persons were taken to Colombo South Teaching Hospital in Kalubowila. Several other incidents were reported on the 2nd day of postal voting- 24th December, Mullaitivu Regiment, Civil Security Department Vishwamadu, Mullaitivu District A CMEV monitor reported that people were unaware as to how to vote and had given their ballot papers to Mr. A. Sundaramurthy, ARO (Assistant Returning Officer) to vote on their behalf. CMEV monitor observed the ARO casting three votes during this period. Lt Colonel J.P Ganegoda is the certifying officer who was present during this period. CMEV monitor reported that 477 had already cast their vote with 931 names being in the list. CMEV monitor further reported a general lack of awareness among voters in the area. 24th December, Sri Lanka Army Camp, Puthukuduirrupu, Mullaitivu District CMEV monitor reported a discrepancy in the list of voters in the centre where 254 persons had registered to vote. A list with 367 names was with Mr. P.D.L.D. Alwis, Second Commanding Officer, the certifying officer. 24th December, Anamaduwa, Puttalam District CMEV was informed that two newly opened election offices of the UNP in Adigama and Palama Serukale were attacked around 9.30pm yesterday (23rd December). The CMEV monitor observed the destruction of election material, furniture and offices. Mr. Range Bandara, MP informed CMEV that the office was opened last morning and that the attack was carried out by group of supporters of United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) North Western Provincial Councilor Mr Sanath Nishantha. 24th December, Kollannawa Umagiliya Playground, Colombo District A stage and meeting area that were in the process of being prepared for a rally of the Common Opposition Candidate Maithripala Sirirsena was attacked by a group of people at 12 40 a.m. on the 24th. CMEV was informed that around 8-10 persons were preparing the stage and surrounding area for a meeting that was to be held on the following morning (24th). There had also been more people around the playground and on the roads leading to it. Two jeeps and one van displaying posters of President Mahinda Rajapaksa had arrived and parked next to a jeep belonging to the Wellampitiya Police Station. One armed individual had got down from one of the vehicles and shot about 17 rounds from the firearm in the direction of the stage and its roof. Sub Inspector of the Wellampitiya Police Station Mr. Tennakoon and nine other police officers along with the group of people who were preparing the stage had to run for cover. The Manager of Y FM, Mr Sajith Nandana Rathnayake, who was at the location described the vehicles as one white van plated J.G. 7783 and two jeeps with unmarked red plates and tinted windows. He also noted that the vehicles had soon thereafter fled the scene towards Dematagoda. Mr Prasanna Solangaarachchi, Kotikawatta–Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha Chiairmani informed CMEV that the police officers at the location did not do anything to stop the incident. CMEV is informed that further investigations are being carried out by the Chief Inspector Amarabandu of the Wellampitiya Police Station.

Download this press release as a PDF here, and in Tamil here. Download it in Sinhala here. ### 23rd December 2014 Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) monitored the first day of postal votes across Sri Lanka and at the end of the day reported47 incidents with 20 major incidents and 27 minor incidents. Major incidents include assault, threat and intimidation, misuse of state resources, incidents related to election officers and intimidatory presence. Minor incidents all related to election offences. Process of Applications CMEV notes a total of 541,831 voters are eligible for postal voting on the 23rd, 24th, 26th and 30th. CMEV noted several incidents on the day of the first postal vote raising concerns regarding the process used for registering postal voters that can impact the integrity of elections. At the outset, CMEV raises concerns with the applications for postal voting as the present practice entails the respective head of department sending the applications forms of all within his/her department for postal voting. Any delays and/or discrepancies from this particular individual can lead to a significant population being unable to vote. CMEV has been informed that a large number of the near 85,000 rejected postal votes are attributable to the delay in the application. A particular case reported to CMEV was at the Puttalm Zonal Education Office where 140 applications were made and 30 rejected citing delays. CMEV is concerned with the present process that entails a heavy reliance on one individual that may lead to the disenfranchisement of a significant number of citizens and calls for a review of the present process. CMEV is also informed of several votes being unaccounted for in the present process. In the Mahawa Deport, Kurunagala, 56 applications were made with 39 being received and 4 rejected. 13 votes were unaccounted for. Similarly in the Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha, Anuradhapura, 10 applications were made with 1 received and 1 rejected. 8 votes were unaccounted. CMEV raised this issue with the relevant district election officers who were unable to provide a satisfactory answer in terms of accounting for the missing votes and CMEV urges the Elections Commissioner to take immediate steps to look into this matter. Factors Impacting Franchise On the basis of incidents reported at the time of issuing this communiqué, CMEV is concerned with the role played by the military in some of the postal voting centres. Incidents reported below and in Communique 1 highlight incidents in Mullaitivu and Killinochchi districts that can impact the integrity of the vote. CMEV is also informed of the low voter turnout today due to the bad weather in parts of Sri Lanka. Reports from the Eastern province and Mannar district indicate heavy rains and floods impacting voter turnout. If there is a continuation of the bad weather for the remainder of postal voting and possibly affecting election day, CMEV urges the Elections Commissioner to take necessary steps to ensure that voters are not deprived of their right to franchise. In addition to the broader issues raised above, several incidents from the first day of postal votes are below- 23 December 2014, Kurunegala South SLTB Bus Depot, Kurunegala District CMEV was informed that a group of people wearing T shirts with the slogan ‘Nil Balakaya’ were seen walking around at 10.45am in the premises outside the polling centre. 23 December 2014, Ceylon Electricity Board Head office – Sir Chittampalam A Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 02, Colombo District A CMEV monitor was not allowed to enter the voting centre by the security officer on duty at the entrance. The security officer had informed the monitor that there is no voting in the premises. Upon CMEV contacting authorities at the Ceylon Electricity Board, the CMEV observer was permitted access. 23 December 2014, Gangawata Korale Divisional Secretariat – Kandy, Kandy District A complaint was filed by a CMEV monitor of a large poster of President Mahinda Rajapaksa being displayed on the building near the polling station. This building belongs to the National Housing Development Authority and directly faces the polling station at the Division Secretariat Office. 23 December 2014, SLTB Depot, Vavuniya A CMEV monitor reported that posters of President Mahinda Rajapaksa were displayed within the SLTB Depot premises which is a polling station. 23 December 2014, SLTB Depot Nawalapitiya, Kandy District CMEV was informed that at the above location, voters had to mark their ballot and show it to the Senior Polling Officer before sealing it. CMEV contacted the Deputy Elections Commissioner – Kandy regarding this incident. The Deputy Elections Commissioner denied the allegation stating that his representative was present at the said polling station and that no such incident took place. 23 December 2014, SLTB Depot Katharagama, Monaragala District A CMEV mobile monitor reported that at the polling station mentioned above, polling agents (both UNP and UPFA) had an argument with the voters who had arrived to cast their vote using the identification document issued by the SLTB instead of their NICs. The UNP polling agents have said that voters can use the identification document issued by the SLTB while the UPFA agents argued that the NIC is compulsory. Two police officers were called in to settle the dispute.  23 December 2014, Nittambuwa Divisional Secretariat, Gampaha District It was reported to CMEV that Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardana with two other persons had entered the above premises and made inquiries about the number of postal votes cast at the polling centre from the polling officer.  23 December 2014, District Hospital Mawathagama, Kurunegala District The speech made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the launch of his election manifesto and aired on the Independent Television Network (ITN) was broadcast on the first floor of the District Hospital Mawathagama when voting was taking place on the second floor of the same building. 23 December 2014, Gampola SLTB Depot The posters of President Mahinda Rajapaksa displayed on the walls in the vicinity of the above location which is a polling station have not been removed as directed by the

23rd December 2014 Colombo, Sri Lanka – Postal voting for the Presidential Election scheduled for 8th January 2015 commenced this morning at 7.30 a.m. A total of 541,831 voters are eligible to cast postal votes on the 23rd, 24th, 26th and 30th of December 2014. According to media reports of the 626,953 applications received for postal voters, nearly 85,000 (14%) applications were rejected. President Mahinda Rajapaksa launched his election manifesto today (23rd) and his speech was aired live by the Independent Television Network (ITN) and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting co-operation (SLBC) from 9.00 a.m. onwards. Whilst the airing of this election activity is a violation of the Election Commissioner’s directives on the use of state media and state resources, CMEV received several complaints of this speech being played loudly in government buildings which operate as polling stations for the postal vote. CMEV received complaints that the telecast of the speech could be seen and /or heard by voters en route to casting their postal votes in the Divisional Secretariat premises in Passara, Karachchi, Ambagamuwa, Ududumbara and Lunugala. Divisional Secretariat – Gomarankadawala, Trincomalee District. Postal voting was temporary suspended due to a clash between M.K.D.S Gunawardana, MP (NDP), and Mr. Sadun Hemantha, a Member of Gomarankdawala Pradeshiya Sabha (UPFA), at around 9.10 a.m. According to a CMEV monitor, Mr. Gunawardana’s driver had assaulted Mr. Hemantha following a heated argument between Mr. Hemantha and Mr. Gunawardana. Mr. Hemantha has been taken to Gomarankadawala Rural Hospital with minor head injuries. Voting re- commenced at 10.00 a.m after the Assistant Returning Officer of the Trincomalee District arrived at the scene. Sri Lanka Army 68th Battalion Headquarters – Pudukuduirippu, Mullativu District. A CMEV mobile monitor reported that the designated place for voting within this polling station does not allow for a secret vote as the Certifying Officer of the polling center has a clear view of each ballot that is being marked. CMEV was informed that 301 voters are registered to vote at the said polling station at the time the CMEV mobile monitor inspected the premises with 97 votes cast. The CMEV monitor had taken up this issue with the Certifying officer Lt. Col. T.M.K.C Amarakoon who stated that they were unable to make alternative arrangements. CMEV has made a written complaint to the certifying officer in this regard. Special Task Force camp- 3rd Mile Post, Siyabalanduwa, Monaragala District. CMEV monitor reported that at around 7.30 a.m. R.P Herath, Commanding Officer of the camp informed him that voting was closed for the day after only about 5 votes were cast during the period the monitor was present. The Commanding Officer had further informed the CMEV monitor that the balance votes would be cast tomorrow. A total of 154 postal votes were registered at this camp. When contacted by CMEV, Assistant Elections Commissioner for the Monaragala District, stated that the said closure was contrary to the directions provided by his office and that they will investigate into the matter. Southern Provincial Council Building – Galle CMEV monitor reported that hand bills were being distributed in front of the Southern Provincial Council Building in Galle. Chief Minister of the Southern Provincial Council, Mr. Shan Wijayalal Silva was also among the group distributing handbills. Six polling stations are located within the premises of the Southern Provincial Council building with a total of 284 postal voters registered to cast their vote. Labor Department Head office– Narahenpita The CMEV polling station observer for the Labor Department was not granted access until 8.30 a.m to monitor the postal vote. The Certifying Officer Mr. Anura Muthumanna, a Labor Commissioner refused to allow access until a specific letter addressed to him, was produced stating that the specific observer should be given access. Following communications made with Assistant Election Commissioner Colombo, the CMEV observer was granted access to monitor the polling station. CMEV notes that this incident took place despite the monitor possessing a letter of authorization signed by the Commissioner of Elections authorising him to enter and monitor a polling station. It was further reported by the monitor that a group of people were distributing handbills in front of the premises where the postal vote was being conducted. Navy Camp – Welisara, Gampaha District CMEV monitor was not permitted to enter the premises of the Navy camp by the security at the gate. The security informed our monitor that they were not aware of CMEV and therefore could not permit a representative of the organisation to enter the camp. Again CMEV notes that this incident took place despite the monitor possessing a letter of authorisation signed by the Commissioner of Elections authorising him to enter and monitor a polling station. The monitor was permitted to enter the camp to monitor postal voting at about 9.45 a.m after CMEV informed the Assistant Election Commissioner, Gampaha. S.L.T.B Depot – Uppuveli, Trincomalee District. A Jeep (registration number 30 – 0018) bearing a poster of President Mahinda Rajapaksa is parked in front of the polling station within the premises of the Depot. The CMEV polling station observer reported that the Jeep belonged to R.M.G Vijitha Dharmasiri Depot Manager of the Uppuveli Depot. Furthermore a poster of President Mahinda Rajapaksa was prominently displayed within the premises of the Depot. S.L.T.B Depot – Gampola, Kandy District Posters of President of Mahinda Rajapaksa are prominently displayed within the premises of the Depot. The said posters have been present for at least two weeks and no steps have been taken remove them. Headquarters of The Civil Security Department of Sri Lanka – Kilinochchi, Kilinochchi District. A CMEV Mobile Monitor reported that officers of the Civil Security Department (CSD) were collecting information from civilian workers attached to the CSD as they left the polling station. Information collected included name, NIC number and time of voting. The CMEV monitor had observed workers attached to the farms maintained by the CSD being separated into groups based on their work location and the information being collected accordingly. When contacted by CMEV Major Sagara

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