CMEV received information regarding a hand grenade attack to the residence of Subramaniuam Sharma, SLFP Uduppidi coordinator by two unidentified persons on motor bikes at around 3.30am today. Map location here. Read CMEV’s full press release on this incident here and as a Sinhala PDF here. Audio update in English here.
Hand grenade attack in Jaffna on election day Read More »
Special Media Release on Transfer of HQI Vavuniya Police Station 23rd January 2010 2300Hrs CMEV learnt that the HQI of the Vavuniya Police Station, Saman Sigera, has been transferred to the welfare division of the Police Head Quarters with immediate effect from 23rd January 2010. CMEV contacted Saman Sigera on 23rd January at around 05.30 pm who said that he received a fax from the Police Head Quarters, Colombo today at around 11.30 pm instructing him to report to the Welfare Division of the Police Head Quarters with immediate effect. He further stated that no reason has been mentioned for his transfer in the fax. CMEV contacted the police spokesman SSP I.M.Karunaratne today at around 06.15 pm and he stated that he is not aware about the transfer and he has not been informed anything regarding it by the Inspector General of Police. CMEV contacted the Police Spokesman again at around 07.30 pm and then 10.30 pm he stated that he has yet not received any information regarding the transfer. CMEV contacted the Department of Election at about 06.30 pm an officer, who did not reveal his name, informed CMEV that all the responsible officers are in a meeting and asked to contact later. CMEV’s attempts to contact the Department of Election failed as no one responded to the telephone thereafter. CMEV contacted DIG Lalith Jayasinghe at around 10.40 pm who instructed to contact acting DIG-Personal & Records Division, Mr.Fonseka to verify the reason for the transfer order. At around 11.00 pm CMEV contacted DIG,Fonseka, who confirmed the transfer order and stated that HQI Saman Sigera, was transferred with the approval of the Election Commissioner. He further told CMEV that he was transferred due to the allegations leveled against him. CMEV also received a telephone call from Paikianathan Ranganathan, UNP Vavuniya District organizer, at around 05.15 pm regarding the incident. CMEV underscores the commissioner’s notice on 07th December 2009 regarding the appointments, transfers and promotions. According to the section 104B (4) and 104(J) of the 17th Amendment to the constitution the commissioner has the power to suspend the appointments, transfers and promotions. CMEV requests the Election Commissioner to disclose the reason for the approval of the transfer to the public to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. Read this press release as a PDF here.
Special Media Release on Transfer of HQI Vavuniya Police Station Read More »
Read the cumulative statistics of election violence logged by CMEV, along with graphs, here.
Presidential Elections 2010: Summary of incidents received by 6.00pm, 23rd January 2010 Read More »
Summary of incidents received to CMEV by 5.30 p.m., 22th January 2010. Download the PDF here.
Presidential Elections 2010: Graphs and charts of election campaign violence Read More »
This report can be downloaded in full as a PDF from here. Read it in Tamil here. The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) conducted a field visit to the Jaffna, Killinochchi and Vavuniya districts from 17-19th January 2010 to monitor the situation prior to the 26th January Presidential election. CMEV met with residents of the area including those who had recently returned, internally displaced person (IDPs), civil society groups, agencies and government officials.
Field Visit to Jaffna, Killinochchi & Vavuniya Read More »
At approximately 4.50am this morning, an explosive device was thrown at the home of the Secretary and National Organizer of the SLFP Mahajana Wing Mr. Tiran Alles, located at Galpoththa Road, Nawala, resulting in severe damage to his vehicle and house. Mr. Alles and his family were unharmed. According to the OIC Welikada Police CI Neville de Silva a complaint has been lodged in this regard bearing the number EIB/07/25. SSP Mirihana Division Deshabandu Tennekoon, the nature of the explosive has not yet been confirmed, and the forensic report is pending. It has therefore been identified as an explosive device. The Kotte Municipal Council Fire Brigade said that two fire engines were deployed to contain the fire. When contacted, Mr. Alles told CMEV that at approximately 4.50 am, his Security Officer Mr. Nalaka Liyanage had heard the sound of a vehicle outside the gate and had seen something being thrown over the wall, subsequent to which there was a large explosion. Mr. Alles added that he suspects President Rajapaksa and Chairman of the JNP Mr. Wimal Weerawanse of being behind the attack. This attack comes in the wake of statements to the media yesterday (21st) by Leader of the SLFP Mahajana Wing and Member of Parliament Mr. Mangala Samaraweera alleging a plot by the Rajapaksa regime to assassinate Mr. Alles. CMEV will release a full press statement upon further clarification of information.
Urgent news update: Bomb attack against National Organizer of the SLFP Mahajana Wing Read More »
Released 21 January 2010, download this report in full as a PDF here. ### Western Province Alleged Shooting in Gampaha District According to Western Provincial Councilor Mr. Kithsiri Manchanayake (UNP), at approximately 3.00am this morning, a group of unidentified persons who arrived in 5 or 6 vehicles, attacked the party office as well as home of UNP supporter Mr. Premadasa, located at Kalumada, Divulapitiya. According to Coordinating Secretary to Mr. Manchanayake Mr. Anura Jayantha, the attackers fired several shots in the air, at which point Mr. Premadasa’s family had fled their home. The attackers had then damaged the doors, windows, furniture and electrical goods in Mr. Premadasa’s house, and fled the location. Divulapitiya Police OIC Mahinda Udugama told CMEV that the Police had visited the location and that damage had been caused to the house and furniture. He added that the party office was unlawful. When questioned regarding whether shots were fired, OIC Udugama told CMEV that they had received information that shots were fired, but that they found no bullet casings at the location. When questioned regarding the identities of the attackers, OIC Udugama stated that he felt that the complainants may be withholding information regarding the identities of the attackers out of fear. OIC Udugama refused to provide CMEV with the complaint number and also refused to confirm if the incident was lodged in the Elections Information Book or in the Crimes Information Book. When contacted, Mr. Premadasa told CMEV that between 10.30pm and 11.00pm, a group of persons who arrived in vehicles had torn up cut outs and decorations of the party office. Mr. Premadasa had then gone to the Divulapitiya Police and lodged a complaint regarding this attack. A Police team including the OIC had arrived at the scene, examined the damages and obtained statements related to the incident. Subsequently, between 11.00pm and 12.00 midnight, approximately 6 persons had arrived at Mr. Premadasa’s house and threatened him, stating that they would kill Mr Premadasa and his family if they vote for General Fonseka. Mr. Premadasa had recognized one of the attackers as Mr. M. Siripala, the President of the UPFA Kalumada Sub Office. No complaint was made to the Police regarding this threat. According to Mr. Premadasa, between 1.00am and 1.30am approximately 10 to 12 persons had arrived at his house in 5 to 6 vehicles, fired several shots in the air, and then fired 4 shots at the door of his house. Mr. Premadasa and his family were hiding at the time but had seen the incident take place. The attackers then proceeded to destroy furniture and electrical goods as initially reported. While no bullet casings were found on the location, the CMEV monitor has confirmed, that there were clear indications of bullet holes on the walls and door of the house, despite the statement made by the OCI of the Divulapitiya Police that there was no evidence of a shooting. Eastern Province A series of Threats and Intimidation in Trincomalee According to UNP Organizer for Trincomalee Mr. Sundaram Sivaplan, he and his associates had received a series of threats from UPFA (Karuna) supporters on the 18th, 19th and 20th of January. On the 18th of January at approximately 4.00pm Mr. Sivakumaran and Mr. Paneerchelvam were pasting NDF posters at Kappatturai in the vicinity of the Hindu Kovil, when 3 unidentified persons who arrived at the scene carrying weapons, had pointed a gun at Mr. Sivakumaran’s forehead and chest, and threatened that he should not work for NDF. The attackers had also given Mr. Sivakumaran approximately 150 posters of the incumbent President and asked him to paste those instead. On the 19th of January, at approximately 10.00am, a group of 7 unidentified persons had come to Mr. Sivapalan’s house located at Inner Harbour Road, and asked in Sinhalese who Sundaram Sivapalan was. Mr. Sivapalan had said he did not know who Sundaram Sivapalan was, at which point the unidentified persons left the location. Later that evening, at 7.00pm, 2 unidentified persons had arrived at Mr. Sivapalan’s house, and taken photographs of the house. Mr. Sivapalan added that unidentified persons had arrived at his house looking for him and taken pictures of the house on previous occasions as well, but he could not remember details of date and time. Mr. Sivapalan and Mr. Paneerchelvam told CMEV that they have not lodged Police complaints regarding the above incidents, as their homes and offices are all located down the same road, and they fear for their safety. Unexploded Grenade found near UPFA bus in Trincomalee. According to Eastern Provincial Councilor and UPFA Organizer Ms. Ariyawathi Galappaththi, at 7.00am on the 19th of January at Nachchikudah, China Bay, an unexploded grenade was found on the ground near 1 of 4 busses that were brought for the purpose of transporting UPFA supporters to the President’s rally that was due to take place in Kanthalai. The buses were brought there on the night of the 18th, and remained parked there till the following morning. According to Ms. Galappaththi, the conductor of the bus had informed her of the grenade, at which point she called 119, and the grenade was removed from the location by the China Bay Police. According to PC L.L.S. Wickramathunge of the China Bay Police, a complaint has been lodged regarding this incident, bearing the number EIB 34/25. He did not furnish any further information regarding the incident. North Central Province Arson in Anuradhapura According to UPFA supporter Mr. M.P. Sisira Kumara Jayasundara, at approximately 2.00am this morning, he had seen his book shop and communication centre on fire, when he looked outside upon hearing a loud explosion. Mr. Jayasundara also maintains a UPFA party office in the building adjoining the two buildings, which were burnt. As they stepped out of the house in order to investigate the situation, they had heard a vehicle leaving the location, but did not see it. Subsequently, Mr. Jayasundara told CMEV that an eye witness to the incident has been found,
Presidential Election 2010: Media Communiqué No. 20 Read More »
14th January 2010, Colombo, Sri Lanka: It is now abundantly clear that a situation has arisen in which the State-controlled media is acting with complete disregard for the principles of balance and impartiality inherent to any notion of responsible and professional journalism (which apply with even greater force in the case of media institutions that are publicly-owned and tax-payer funded), and in a manner that violates the guidelines issued by the Elections Commissioner under the power vested in him by Article 104B (5) (a) of the Constitution. In terms of Article 104B (5) (b), therefore, the Chairmen, specifically of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, are in breach of a legal duty imposed by the Constitution itself. In this context, CMEV was pleased to learn that the Elections Commissioner had first identified, then appointed, Mr. Jayampathy Hettiarachchi (formerly of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service) as the Competent Authority in terms of Article 104B (5) (c) of the Constitution and the Competent Authority (Powers and Functions) Act No. 3 of 2002. CMEV also noted that certain political programmes had in fact been suspended due to their violation of the Elections Commissioner’s guidelines. However, it has been reported that at a meeting on Tuesday, 12th January, with representatives of political parties, candidates and monitors (including representatives of CMEV), the Elections Commissioner had expressed his consternation, among other things, at the lack of co-operation extended by the relevant State media institutions to the Competent Authority, and went so far to suggest that he was considering withdrawing the appointment of Mr. Jayampathy Hettiarachchi as the Competent Authority.
CONTROVERSY WITH REGARD TO THE STATE MEDIA AND THE APPOINTMENT OF A COMPETENT AUTHORITY Read More »
CMEV has received information of a shooting at the UNP party office near the Minnas Private Hospital, Madurankuliya, Puttalam District at approximately 3.50pm. According to the spokesperson of the Puttalam Base hospital Mr. Saman Kumara of Thonigala, Anamaduwa has died as a result of his injuries, while 4 other persons were also admitted to the hospital. 3 of these persons were transferred to the Kurunegala Hospital. The party affiliations of the victims as well as the shooters remain unknown at the moment. Read the full report here.
Presidential Election 2010: Media Communiqué No. 13 Read More »
16 January 2010: According to North Western Provincial Councilor Mr. Sanath Nishantha Perera (UPFA), at 3.50pm, UNP supporters had shot at UPFA supporters in front of the UNP party office located in front of the Minnas Private Hospital, Madurankuliya, Puttalam District, resulting in the death of UPFA supporter Mr. Saman Kumara of Thonigala, Anamaduwa. According to the Spokesperson of the hospital, 4 other persons had been admitted to the Puttalam Base Hospital of sustained injuries during the shooting, and 3 of them have been transferred to the Kurunegala Hospital. According Director of the Kurunegala Hospital Dr. S. Rajamanthri, the 3 injured persons are not in serious condition. Two of the victims had suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and neck. They had received emergency treatment from the Puttalam Hospital prior to transfer. Read the full report of the murder here.
Presidential Election 2010: Special Report on murder Read More »
On 6th January 2010, the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) wrote to Mr. Dayananda Dissanayake, the Commissioner of Elections expressing serious concerns over an unsolicited New Year’s Day text message sent on behalf of the President and other consequential issues arising over the conduct of a free and fair presidential election. CPA in its letter noted that these concerns were brought to Mr. Dissanayake’s attention at first instance, but that the contents of letter would be made public within a reasonable time period, together with Mr. Dissanayake’s responses and a description of any action of he had taken with regard to the issues raised. To date, CPA has not received any response from Mr. Dissanayake and is not aware of any initiative by him to address the significant concerns enumerated in our letter. The full text of the letter follows, and is also available as a PDF here. It is also available as a PDF in Tamil 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.
Presidential Election 2010: Media Communiqué No. 5 Read More »
The CMEV brought to the attention of the Election Commissioner the illegal display of banners and cutouts in public places and within the premises Government Offices & buildings, by the letter dated 5th January 2010. CMEV appreciates the order given to the Police by the Elections Commissioner, to remove all illegal banners and cutouts from public places and government premises, and institutions on the 5th of January 2010, at the meeting held for party secretaries… CMEV has noted that coinciding with the increase in cutouts the level of violence has increased as a direct result of disputes arising from cutouts and their placement. Read the media communique in full with more details here.
Presidential Election 2010: Media Communiqué No. 4 Read More »
6 January 2010, Colombo, Sri Lanka: CMEV has confirmed 91 major incidents of election related violence as of today, since the gazette notification of presidential election on 23 November 2009. Most of the major incidents (27) have been reported from the Southern Province. CMEV highlights the most recent confirmed major incidents in this report. Download it as a PDF here.
Presidential Election 2010: Media Communiqué No. 3 Read More »
5th January 2010 Colombo Sri Lanka Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) sent a letter to the Election Commissioner on 05th January 2009 highlighting the illegal display of cutouts, banners and posters in public places and within the premises of Government offices throughout the country. CMEV called upon the Election Commissioner to take immediate measures to ensure that election laws and the directives he has issued with regard to adherence to them are strictly observed by the Police and all responsible for protecting the integrity of the electoral process. The letter to the Commissioner is attached. Download the cover letter here, and the detailed letter to the Elections Commissioner here.
Letter to the Elections Commissioner on illegal display of cut-outs, banners and posters Read More »
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