Presidential Election 2015

CMEV monitor attacked in Polonnaruwa

Situation Updates /

30th December, CMEV monitor attacked in Polonnaruwa. CMEV was informed of electioneering by two groups of Buddhist monks- a local group of monks in support of Common Presidential Candidate Maithripala Sirisena and the Bodu Bala Sena in support of President Mahinda Rajapakse. CMEV monitor J.P.A.M Jayasekara reported that both groups were electioneering in close proximity to each other and that there had been a clash between the two groups, which he had attempted to photograph. Two incidents followed this clash in which the CMEV monitor was threatened and attacked. They are listed in detail below. The first incident was at around 10am when a small group of monks had been distributing leaflets in support of Common Presidential Candidate Maithripala Sirisena and a supporter had threatened the CMEV monitor and asked him to delete photographs he had taken. He had deleted the photographs under duress. The second incident occurred around 12.30pm when the CMEV monitor was dispatched to observe election campaign activity near the Bank of Ceylon Kaduruwela Branch. In the lead were several members of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) who had been distributing leaflets in support of President Mahinda Rajapakse. According to Mr.Jayasekara, he had taken out his camera to take photographs, he was attacked by a supporter of Siripala Gamlath (Deputy Minister of Lands & Land Development and District Coordinator of Polonnaruwa District, United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA)) who had snatched his camera. During this time he was also assaulted on his right leg. Subsequently, the CMEV monitor visited Siripala Gamlath’s office to retrieve the camera. Although his camera was returned, all images and videos relating to the above incident had been deleted. A police complaint has been made with SSP G.A.N.L.Wijesena, Polonnaruwa.

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Presidential Election 2015: Media Communique 8

Press Reports, Situation Updates /

Download as PDF here. ### On 29th December 2014 at 6.00 pm: 29th December, Attack on ‘Yowun Parapura’ street concert in Gokarella, Kurunegala District CMEV received information of an attack at Kumbukgete junction in the Gokarella area where a street concert was taking place with an audience of about 150 people. Youth artistes such as Samanalee Fonseka, Jagath Manuwarna, Indrachapa Liyanage, Lakshman Wijesekara and Udaya Dharmawardhana were performing when the attack took place (at about 12 30 p.m.). A group of people headed by UPFA Provincial Councilor Don Kamal Indika were distributing leaflets. Subsequently this group, who were in blue ‘Nil balakaya’ T shirts had started hooting and yelling abuse and throwing rocks at the performers. Two police officers were there at the time, but had done nothing to stop the attack. Samanalee Fonseka and Udaya Dharmawardhana had been stoned while Lakshman Wijesekara had been kicked. No complaint has been filed with the police due to fear of reprisals. When CMEV spoke to Officer in Charge Dias at the Gokarella police station, he said that they had only been informed of a verbal dispute between the two sides. He further said that two police officers who were regulating traffic at Ibbagamuwa had been sent there and that no complaints were received. 29th December, Mahiyangana, Midahangala junction, Badulla District It was reported to CMEV that an authorized United National Party (UNP) office at the above location maintained by Provincial Councilor M Surasena had been attacked yesterday (28th) around 10.00 pm. According to him, an unidentified group (about 15 people) had arrived in a red Defender, White Trooper jeep and a Navara cab. Four armed persons had fired shots towards the sky and had attacked six people who had been at the office at the time. One disabled soldier and two boys aged 13 and 15 respectively had also been there. According to Mr Surasena, five individuals have been injured with one person in a serious condition. Property damage in the above attack includes damages to personal property (a Toyota car (CP/GM/0482), Nissan van (251-1500) and a motorcycle (UP/BAO/1477) the total cost of which is yet to be estimate. Furthermore he suspects the culprits to be supporters of United People Freedom Alliance (UPFA) organizer Mahiyangana Anura Vidanagamage and Badulla District MP Thenuka Widanagamage. CMEV was unable to reach Mr Vidanagamage via phone to get a statement. Mr Surasena had gone to hospitalize the victims leaving Lieutenant Chandrasena (Surasena’s brother) and the disabled soldier behind. The culprits returned and attacked them. The disabled soldier’s prosthetic leg was stolen and he was subsequently hospitalized and awaiting procedures. After Mr Surasena made a complaint at the Mahaiyangana Police station, police surveillance had been deployed to his residence and police investigations have begun. The Mahiyangana Police Station, when approached by CMEV confirmed that they received an emergency call ( on 119/118) regarding this incident around 10.45pm yesterday (28th) and that they sent a group of police officers to the above location around 11.00pm. Currently police investigations are underway. The police have arrested two suspects who are appearing at Mahiyangana Magistrate court on 29th evening. Mahaiyanaga Base hospital said that three victims were admitted to ward 08 last night (28th) and some were admitted in the morning. Director of Mahiyangana Base Hospital said that four persons are under medical treatment and one is in serious condition. When approached by CMEV, United National Party organizer Mahiyangana Upali Senarathne, who is still at the location, says that he suspects this attack was by Anura Vidanagamage.

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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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“Present The Proof!” – Interview with Dr Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu

Media reports /

Many local election monitors have observed grave incidents of election law violations and violence ahead of the Presidential Election whereas some government ministers have directed a number of accusations at local election observers of being biased towards the opposition common candidate Maithripala Sirisena. Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Executive Director of Centre for Policy Alternatives Dr Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu said that those are very loose accusations directed against the local observers given that the accusations are being directed by the government, the very people who are engaged in misusing and abusing state powers and resources. Read the full interview, published in the Sunday Leader newspaper today, here.

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ITN involved in election propaganda of President Mahinda Rajapaksa

Press Releases /

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

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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: Postal Voting Communiqué 03

Press Releases /

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.

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