Situation Updates

Presidential Election 2015: Media Communique 7

Press Reports, Situation Updates /

Download this as a PDF here. Download this PR in Sinhala here. ### On 28th December 2014 at11.30 pm: Colombo, Sri Lanka CMEV has recorded a cumulative total of 180 Incidents of election related violence since the issue of the Gazette Notification on 20th November 2014 announcing the Presidential Election. Of these, 108 are classified as Major and 72 as Minor incidents. The highest number incidents have been reported from Colombo (15) District. CMEV highlights the most recent confirmed Major incidents below: 28th December, Threat in Gampola, Kandy District It was reported to CMEV that Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratna and several supporters had entered the United National Party (UNP) head office in Gampola and threatened those at the office saying “hondinnan hondin, narakinnan narakin math balagannanko”. According to Samantha Anurakumara who maintains the office and who had been present at the time, the Prime Minister and supporters had arrived after a meeting at the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) office. A complaint had been filed at the Gampola Police Station CIB (3) 19/292 but complainants have requested the police to not carry out further investigations due to fear of reprisals. 25th December, Assault at Galpaya, Kandy District CMEV was informed of an incident on 25 December related to an assault to Rohana Kumara whose father-in-law, Mr. Karunathilaka, is a Pradeshiya Sabha member and supporter of the UNP and formerly with the UPFA. According to Rohana, he was traveling when a van crossed his path and parked in front of him. Rohana was driving Karunathilaka’s vehicle at the time. Rohana informed that the four people who attacked him and the vehicle must have thought Karunathilaka was in the vehicle at the time. A police complaint had been filed under 245/216 MOIB. 27th December, Public Property Misuse in Kantalai, Trincomalee District CMEV was reported of an incident of public property misuse on 27th December. A SLTB Bus (WP NP 4979) had been used to transport about 200-300 persons from around Kantalai to attend a programme called ‘Juriya Obai’ done by the International Television Network (ITN) on the 27th at Lake Front Hotel in Kanthalai on behalf of the presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa. 26th December, Party office attacked, Manikitta, Kandy District A party office of the United National Party (UNP) maintained by H.A Sisil Jayawardana was attacked by a group of unknown people on the night of 26th December. Further, several cut outs of Common Presidential Candidate Maithripala Sirisena in the vicinity were destroyed. A police complaint was filed (E:R.I.B. 81/55). 28th December, Illegal Campaign in Thambuththegama, Anuradhapura District A CMEV monitor reported that a demo vehicle plated LH 1943 was driving around in the above area (at about 4 p.m.) requesting the public (via loudspeakers) about a political meeting chaired by the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, in support of the UPFA at the Weheregala Buddhist Centre. When CMEV spoke to Rajangana Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, G.H.Sarath Gamini, he confirmed that there was a meeting scheduled to take place. 28th December, Illegal Campaign in Nuwaragama, Anuradhapura District A CMEV monitor reported that school bags printed with a picture of President Mahinda Rajapaksa were distributed to the flood victims at the Jayabima Hall which belongs to the Pradeshiya Sabha. Nagenahira Nuwaragampalatha Pradeshiya Sabha member, D.P. Bandulasena, informed CMEV that they had distributed bags to the children of the flood victims but denied knowledge of the bags containing any image. 27th December, Public Property Missus in Horana, Kaluthara District CMEV was reported of a public property misuse in the above area on 28th of December when the Horana Vidyarathna Vidyalay had been used for a meeting by the Western Provincial Council member Yasapala Koralage(UPFA). CMEV had been notified the previous day (27th) that a meeting and walk were being organised. After a complaint was made to the Election Secretariat in Rajagiriya by CMEV on the 27th, the rally had been cancelled but the meeting had taken place. 28th December, Illegal Campaign at Bauddaloka Mawatha, Borella CMEV received information using Public servants for election campaign of United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) in the above location. Officers from the Land Reclamation and Development Cooperation have been distributing election materials of presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa on the roads in the above area on 28th December. 28th December, Police Misconduct in Halawatha, Kaluthara District CMEV received a complaint of a cutout of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the above location which was informed as land belonging to Hettiarachchige Don Weerarathna. When the police intervened to take down the cutout, the Road Development Authority had said that this particular cutout was in the land which belongs to them. The police had instead covered it with a black cloth but the cutout has not been taken down as yet. 28th December, Party Office Attacked in Minuwangoda, Gampaha District CMEV received a complaint that a group of people had attacked a United National Party (UNP) party office maintained by Warnakilasuriya Henry Josephe Fernando in the above location. Three 10×4 cutouts and six 12 feet iron poles were stolen. A complaint has been made at the Minuwangoda police station 11/MGERIB.

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An attack on NDF party office in Erakkandi, Trincomalee

Situation Updates /

Download this press release in Sinhala here. Download it in Tamil here. ### CMEV received a complaint that the New Democratic Front ( NDF ) party office located at Erakkandi, Trincomalee had been attacked. The complainant Mr. Firthous, the Secretary for Monitoring Election Activities for NDF in the Erakkandi area said that this incident had taken place at around 1.00 Am on 28th December 2014. Further he said that 7 iron polls which were used for hanging flags of the party had been stolen. According to him one iron poll would cost around Rs. 2000/=. He also said the office decorations had been completely destroyed. According to Mr. Firthous, this is a notified party office with the approval of the Election Commissioner and Police. When CMEV contacted Mr. Firthous he was on his way to the Kucchaveli Police Station, to make a complaint with regard to the incident .

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Presidential Election 2015: Media Communique 5

Press Releases, Situation Updates /

Download PDF of this statement here. Download this in Sinhala here. ### On 27th December 2014 at 7.00 pm: Offering letter to offer permanent jobs at Civil Security Department during the period of Presidential Election – 2015 CMEV received a complaint from a Civil Security Officer that many employees at the Civil Security Department (CSD) have been given permanent jobs effective from 19th Dec 2014. He repeatedly asked CMEV not to reveal his identity, as he believed that his job would be in jeopardy.   Further he said that thousands of civil security officers have been given letters making them permanent, after many years as temporary employees. According to him thousands of CSD officers are being used for President Mahinda Rajapaksha ‘s election campaign by making their temporary jobs permanent . According provision no 7 of the circular issued by Department of Election on 2nd Dec 2014, no person can be offered a job in the government sector after the declaration of the Presidential Election. In the letter, a copy of which CMEV received from the complainant and is attached, it is clearly stated that this officer will come under the category of a permanent government servant effective from 19th Dec 2014. This is a serious violation of Election Law.

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Letter to Elections Commissioner regarding current floods and the impact on the exercise of franchise

Press Releases, Situation Updates /

Download a PDF of this letter here. Download as a JPG here. ### Mr. Mahinda Deshapriya, Commissioner of Elections, Election Secretariats, Sarana Road, Rajagiriya, 27th December 2014 Dear Sir, I am writing to you with regard to the current floods and the impact it will have on the exercise of the franchise, especially in the North Central and Eastern provinces. I understand that approximately 400,000 or more persons have been displaced on account of the floods. I am writing in particular to ascertain from you as to what special arrangements are being contemplated with regards to the exercise of their franchise. My concerns relate to them being displaced from areas in which their polling stations are located, including the loss of polling cards and other identification documents. Please do seriously consider special arrangements for the exercise of the franchise by these recently displaced persons as a matter of priority. Thank you for your cooperation. Yours sincerely, Dr. P. Saravanamuttu Co – Convener

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Presidential Election 2015: Media Communique 4

Press Releases, Situation Updates /

Download this press release as a PDF here. Download it in Sinhala here. ### 6th December, Beruwala town, Kaluthara District CMEV monitor reported that supporters of United People Freedom Alliance (UPFA) had attacked former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Provincial Councilor Ms. Hirunika Premachandra at about 10.00pm. After a rally in Beruwala town, President Kumaratunga and Ms Premachandara had gone to dinner at Provincial Councilor Mohammed Jemine Marikar Mohammed Isthikar’s house , some 350m from Beruwala town(Peenawala). During the dinner a group of people had hooted and stoned the house. President Kumaratunga and Ms Premachandra had managed to leave the house with the support of their security and supporters of the common opposition candidate. According to the CMEV monitor, the Police and Special Task Force had run for cover. Subsequently, a fight ensued involving both parties resulting in damages to property including President Kumaratunga’s vehicle. A supporter of common opposition candidate, former opposition Urban Council leader Mohammed Mansoor Dalhan was taken to Beruwala base hospital but refused admittance by the hospital. The Special Task force and Beruwala Police were able to disperse crowd. According to the Out Patient Department (OPD) doctor, Ms Samarasinghe, the police had issued instructions to not admit any casualties to the hospital. Mr. Mohammed told CMEV that Beruwala Police OIC Duminda Rajapaksha refused to provide the former president with security from the outset. However, the OIC told CMEV that he had provided a 40 -man squad for this purpose. Ms Premachandra confirmed the above incident and blamed it on the inactivity of the Police and Special Task Force.

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Presidential Election 2015: Media Communique 03

Press Releases, Situation Updates /

22st December 2014 at 2.00 p.m. Download as a PDF here. Attack in Kotte CMEV received a complaint from Dr. Harsha De Silva, UNP organizer, Kotte, that a group of supporters of Maithreepala Sirisena was attacked by a group headed by Manjuala Budhhadasa. Mr Buddhadasa is a Member of the Western Provincial Council and the son of Mayor G.H. Buddhadasa, Kaduwela Municipal Council. Dr. De Silva asked CMEV to contact Harshani Sandaruwani, one of the victims of the attack, for further information. Harshani Sandaruwani is the leader of the group in charge of leaflet distribution for the New Democratic Front in the Nawala area. Ms. Sandaruwan told CMEV that when they were distributing leaflets of the Common Opposition Candidate Maithreepala Sirisena at the Nawala- Koswattha Junction, a group of people arrived in a white colour cab (WP KV9902) and approached a MSD policeman who summoned them. Manjula Buddhadasa also got down from the vehicle and slapped a male person. He also snatched all the posters and threw them away. He further removed green coloured cap from a person and threatened the group that if they came to these areas again, he will kill them. According to Harshani Sandaruwani this incident happened at around 2.15 PM on 20th Dec 2014. Further she said that two policemen were present at the incident but did not take any action regarding it. Hambantota Incident An assault not directly related to the presidential election campaign of any candidate but one which has a bearing on the current political climate and is reflective of it, was reported to CMEV on Sunday 21 st December. Mr Sampath Samarakoon, told CMEV that when a group of street drama and human rights activists were to perform a street drama at the Hambantota bus stand on the theme ‘Veedi Virodaya’, they were attacked by Hambantota Urban Council Chairman Eraj Frenando. Mr. Ayub Khan, the Opposition Leader , Hambantota Urban Council was one of the victims of this attack. When CMEV contacted him, he said that the group was brutally attacked with sticks. He also said that they had informed the Police regarding their street drama and further, that the Police had not taken any statement from the victims. When CMEV contacted Mr.Eraj Fernanado, he said that at around 9.45 AM he had gone to the Hambantota town and that whilst he was waiting for his secretary he had encountered Mr. Khan and inquired from him as to whether permission had been obtained form the Urban Council for the street drama. Mr. Khan had replied in the affirmative. According to Mr. Fernando, the attack was perpetrated by the general public. He further stated that Police had asked him to leave the scene of the attack. He complied and said that he had made a Police complaint in the interests of his future security. When CMEV contacted Hambantota Police OIC , CI Buddhika at around 1 PM ,he said that they did not receive any complaint about this incident. He further said that this drama group had not informed the Police regarding this and that it was the public at the bus stand who had disrupted the street drama. He also said the he will conduct an inquiry into the incident. When CMEV contacted Mr Sumith Disaanayaka, a human right activist he said that although they had performed this drama in several places across the country, they did not face any problems. Mr Sumith Dissanayaka also informed CMEV that the Inspector General of Police had been informed of the incident in writing. When CMEV contacted the main UNP office in Hambantota, the secretary of MP Sajith Premadsa, Mr Samarasinge said that the group led by Eraj Fernanado had attacked the street drama group with the intention of sabotaging Mr. Maithreepala Sirisena’s election campaign.

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Civilians attacked

Photos, Press Releases, Situation Updates /

CMEV received a complaint from Rev Ampitiye Sumanaratna Thero that a group of civilians protested that their voting rights should be ensured. They attempted to submit a petition to the President in this regard and allege that they were attacked by the Police at around 6.30 p.m. on the 19th December 2014 in front of the Batticaloa Police Station. A group of Buddhist priests led by Rev Ampitiye Sumanaratna Thero and group of Sinhalese resettled in Keviliyamaduwa village in Batticaloa District had tried to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksha after the meeting held at Hindu College in Batticaloa on the 19th of December with the purpose of submitting a petition demanding their voting rights and a few other basic facilities. They have repeatedly requested permission to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksha. According to Rev Ampitiye Sumanaratne Thero, a request that was rejected by the police. When they tried to reach the location, irrespective of Police permission they were attacked brutally. One of the members of the group had been stripped naked and a few others have been attacked by the Police. Four members including a pregnant women have been admitted to the Teaching Hospital in Batticaloa according to the report made by Sumanaratne Thero to CMEV. Ven Sumanaratna Thero said to CMEV that they are not in a position to make any complaint at any Police Station as the perpetrators are Police officers themselves. He further said that they are very helpless at this time and do not know what to do next. Download a PDF of this press release here.

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Students disturbed by political rally

Press Reports, Situation Updates /

CMEV received reports of an incident where students sitting for their O/L examination, conducted at St. Mary’s College and Ananda National College at Chilaw, were disturbed by illegal procession violating Section 69 of the Presidential Election Act in which expressly restrict procession at any time during the period commencing on the day of nomination and ending one week after the date on which the results of the poll declared and guidelines issued by the Commissioner with regard to the establishment of party offices. The procession had organized by Neomal Perera, Deputy Minister (UPFA) and Milroy Fernando, Minister for Social Welfare (UPFA) on 16th December, and it had taken place from 2.30 to 3.30 p.m. in very close proximity to above schools making noises by various instruments and vehicle sirens. Residents of the area had informed the incident to police 119 and IP Kasthuriarachci, OIC Chilaw Police Station confirmed that a complaint lodged through 119 was referred to them for necessary actions.

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Arson attack on Presidential candidate’s stage in Waduramba

Photos, Situation Updates /

An arson attack was reported to CMEV around a stage prepared for a meeting of the Common candidate Maithripala Sirisena, and truck bearing number 48-7143 transporting sound equipment to the meeting at 6.55am near the Wadhuramba public bus stand in Baddegama. The meeting had been scheduled to start at 5.30 p.m. with participation of Maithripala Sirisena, Sajith Premadasa, Sarath Fonseka and other political leaders from the Opposition. A group of unidentified armed people who arrived by one Land Rover Defender and another Jeep without number plates had attacked the truck which transported the sound equipment and set fire to the stage and sound equipment containers. Three people who were in charge of sound equipment had fled as they had been threatened by the group. Mr. Premalal Liyanage, a Member of the Baddegama Pradeshiya Sabha has lodged a complaint with the Wadhuramba police station, under the file number RIB 02/15. A CMEV monitor visited the location and confirmed the incident. He further reported that a campaign office of a UPFA candidate is also established in very close proximity to the location where the stage had erected.

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Use of SLTB buses for the President’s re-election campaign

Situation Updates /

The blatant misuse of public resources by the re-election campaign of President Mahinda Rajapaksa is recorded below. The following letter was sent by the General Secretary of Sri Lanka Freedom Transport Union Nimal Abyesiri. As noted in the media, Abyesiri is a district organizer of the SLFP for Colombo District. The video below shows the transportation of UPFA supporters using SLTB buses for Mahinda Rajapaksa’s meeting held at Chilaw on 16th December 2014.

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Uva Provincial Council Elections 2014: Communiqué on Post-Election Violence

Media reports, Press Releases, Situation Updates /

Download this PR as a PDF here. ### 25 September 2014: The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) has been informed of 9 incidents of violence after the conclusion of the Uva Provincial Council elections held on 20th September 2014. The incidents reported to CMEV include incidents where UPFA supporters were involved in making threats to and/or damaging property of opposition candidates (particularly JVP and UNP). CMEV is concerned with the ongoing violence and the lack of accountability for it, which denotes the prevailing culture of impunity. Although the Department of Police claimed to have a strict security apparatus to deal with post-election violence, these measures have been insufficient to deal with the violence that has erupted. Subsequent to the outbreak of post-election violence, the Police took action to deploy additional officers to neutralise the situation. It is evident that due to this action further violence was prevented and communities who feared an escalation of violence, reassured that this would not be the case. These incidents highlight the need for pre-empting post-election violence and taking necessary measures to prevent such situations. CMEV is especially concerned by the incidents that transpired in Mahiyanganaya. A significant number of incidents were reported from the day of nominations to the post-election period. All three independent election observer organisations: CMEV, Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) and People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), issued a joint statement highlighting these concerns.  Following pre-election violence that transpired in Mahiyanganaya, the Election Commissioner, at a meeting held on the 10th September requested that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) takes necessary measures to respond to the situation and to take pre-emptive measures against any outbreak of violence. The IGP thereafter deployed 30 STF personnel to the area. CMEV learns that the STF personnel were withdrawn a day prior to the election redeployed on Election Day and withdrawn once more soon after the election. These measures are contrary to what the IGP agreed to at the meeting convened by the Election Commissioner on 10th September where he gave an undertaking that the Uva province DIG would provide security to opposition parties and take steps to prevent violence in the remainder of the campaign, on Election day and the post – election period. CMEV condemns continuing violence and urges all law enforcement agencies and political party leaders to take necessary measures to prevent further violence and to take action against those who are involved in and complicit in such violence. Following are some of the incidents recorded by CMEV in the post-election period:  Attack on the residence of JVP Provincial Council candidate The residence of JVP Uva Provincial Council candidate P. P. G. Wijesiri was attacked by an unidentified group at 12.30 a.m on the 22nd September. The said residence is located at Singhasiripura, Madurukatiya, Kumbukkana in Moneragala District. Subsequent to switching off street lights, the attackers shattered three windows and partially damaged a room. Mr. Wijesiri has lodged a complaint (No. 51) regarding the incident with the Moneragala Police. When contacted by CMEV, the Moneragala Police Division- Election Operation Centre confirmed that the incident was recorded. Attack on UNP Provincial Council candidate Roy Kalinga, former opposition leader of Wellawaya Pradeshiya Sabha and candidate of the UNP for the Uva Provincial Council, was assaulted by an unidentified group using clubs at his residence in Athili-wewa, Dambarawa, Wellawaya on the 22nd September. The group arrived in 2 white defender vehicles at 2 a.m and also attacked his vehicles. He was subsequently admitted to the Sirigala hospital in Moneragala and is being treated at ward No. 02 (photos available).  The hospital confirmed that 2 persons were admitted and the condition of Mr. Kalinga is not serious. Mr. Kalinga’s spouse lodged a complaint (No. 52) on the incident with the Wellawaya police. When contacted, Moneragala Police Division- Election Operation Centre confirmed that the incident was recorded. Attack on the residence of JVP Provincial Council candidate’s father The residence belonging to the father of JVP Provincial Council candidate W. M. A. K Wickramasinghe Bandara was attacked by an identified group at 12.45 a.m on the 22nd September. The residence is located at Obbegoda, Dambagalla, in Moneragala District. When contacted by CMEV, Mr. Bandara claimed that the attack was due to his father’s involvement in his election campaign. The Moneragala Police Division- Election Operation Centre confirmed that the incident was recorded as complaint No. 53. Attack on UNP Pradeshiya Sabha member UNP member of Hali-Ela Pradeshiya Sabha, Chandana Ranmuthugala was assaulted allegedly by UPFA supporters, identified by Mr. Ranmuthugala as Nihal and Jayaweredana. The incident occurred on the 20th September when Mr. Ranmuthugala was on his way to the Badulla counting center close to the Lunugalla polling center. Mr. Ranmuthugala was admitted to ward No. 9 in Badulla hospital. A complaint regarding the incident has been made to the Badulla Police. Attack on UNP supporter R.M. Gunathilaka, supporter of UNP Provincial Council candidate Harin Fernando, was assaulted at his residence at midnight  on the 20th September subsequent to threats made at 7 p.m allegedly by a group of persons led by vice chairman (UPFA) of Badulla Pradeshiya Sabha. A complaint regarding the incident has been made to the Badulla Police. Attack on the vehicle of UNP Provincial Council candidate Following news that the UNP party office in Hali Ela was set on fire, UNP Provincial Council candidate Harin Fernando and supporters were rushing to the area when an armed, unidentified group stoned the vehicle convoy. The incident took place around 5 p.m on 22nd September when the convoy was passing Hali Ela junction. 3 vehicles were damaged in the incident but no casualties were reported. A spokesperson for Mr. Fernando claimed that the Badulla Police took almost 2 hours to take the complaint. The situation subsided without further violence or damage caused by the sharp weapons that were carried by the mob, due to the Police being deployed to disperse the mob. The incident took place in an area with a heavy Muslim

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Uva Provincial Council Elections 2014 Election Day Communiqué No. 3

Press Releases, Press Reports, Situation Updates /

Download this report in Tamil here. ### 20 September 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Election day saw a high number of voters in both the Badulla and  Moneragala districts. News reports quoting election officers reported voter turnout at 50% in the Badulla district and 44% in the Moneragala district at midday. In the 2009 Uva Provincial Council election, 70.03% of the registered votes were polled. Although official confirmation of the final voter turnout of today’s poll is not available at the time of writing, mid-day news reports indicate participation could be at similar levels. The following table highlights incidents as reported by the Police on Election Day.   The day was marked with 6 major incidents, which included assault, threats and intimidation. These included the use of firearms and dangerous weapons. One incident occurred within the premises of the Bandarawela police station. There were however no reported arrests at the time of writing. It has to be noted that there were no reports of incidents of murder or grievous hurt on Election Day. However there was widespread abuse of state resources and violation of election law that occurred in the lead up to the polls and on Election Day. CMEV was concerned about issues related to the presentation of identification documents that could impact the exercise of the franchise. As a result, CMEV responded positively to the request by the Elections Commissioner to support mobile clinics organized by the Department of Elections to issue special identity cards in the Badulla district. Some key trends from polling day include: The heavy presence of politicians across parties and their supporters from outside of the Uva Province, was evident in both the Badulla and Moneragala districts. Several serious incidents reported allegedly involved UPFA politicians and their supporters from outside the Uva province. The overwhelming majority of ‘major incidents’ on polling day were reported from the Badulla District. A majority of election law violations, including transporting voters to polling stations were reported from the Moneragala district. All physical attacks reported to CMEV were attacks against politicians and party cadre. Intimidation and pressuring of voters was used to either influence or prevent voting. Illegal campaigning (graffiti/posters and other propaganda material/vehicles bearing names and/or preference numbers of candidates) was regularly seen near polling stations as well as elsewhere, despite the 13,000 police personnel deployed. Voters were not allowed to cast their ballot on account of non-possession of polling cards. Methodology: CMEV records incidents of murder, attempted murder, assault, abduction, arson, robbery, grievous hurt and threats and intimidation and ‘major’ incidents while damage to property, threats, mischief and violation of election law are recorded as ‘minor’ incidents.

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