Presidential Elections 2010

CMEV received a report regarding a clash between a group of NDF supporters and a group of supporters of Western Provincial Council Member, Duminda De Silva (UPFA) near the Umagaliya ground, Kolonnawa at around 11.30 pm on 13th January 2010. It is also reported that a tense situation has arisen in the area due to the clash. The group of supporters of Duminda De Silva, who came in 4 cabs, had intimidated a group of supporters of Presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka who were decorating the stage for the meeting scheduled on 14 January. They had brandished a pistol and had attacked them. Subsequently NDF supporters also had attacked the perpetrators by stones according to reports received by CMEV. According to CMEV special mobile team information, Peter Kelard and Sampath, who sustained injuries, have been admitted to the Colombo General Hospital. When CMEV’s special mobile team visited the place, OIC of the Wellampitiya Police Station, HQI Liyanage and his team had arrived to the scene and Army had been deployed in the area to ascertain the security. It is learnt that no complaint has been made to the police and the tense situation prevails at the time this report goes out. Read the full report in Sinhala and Tamil here.

13 January 2010 Colombo: Sri Lanka when considering the postal voting over the last two day period, CMEV has received a total of 27 incidents related to postal voting. In addition, approximately 20% of army soldiers who requested votes have been rejected according to reports received by CMEV monitors, which was highlighted in our report yesterday. A further two incidents were reported from Ampara today, the first from Sandunpura Gajaba Infantry 3rd Batallion Camp where 100 persons applied for votes and only one person received their ballot, and the second from the Army 3rd Women’s Core where 163 persons applied for their vote, but only 112 received their ballots. Full details of incidents are available in our report available as a PDF here. Photos mentioned in the report above can be seen here and below.

At 12.20 pm today, a bus containing UNP supporters was shot at on the Thalunna road in the Hungama area in Thangalle. Ms. Kusumawathie Kuruppuarachchi who suffered gunshot wounds to the stomach was initially admitted to the Thangalla hospital. She was subsequently transferred to the Matara hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, as confirmed by ward 6 staff of the Matara hospital. 2 other persons with injuries were admitted to the Thangalle hospital. Also, at 1.00am this morning an unknown group lobbed a grenade at the house of SLMC supporter Mr. M.B.S. Hussein’s located in Ottamawadi, Valachchenai. Mr. Hussein called the police at the time of the incident and the police arrived at the scene shortly after.  No persons were injured, however windows, doors, and furniture of the house were damaged. The CMEV monitor was informed of this incident by Mr. L.T.M. Furkhan Pradeshiya Sabha member Valachchenai. Read the full CMEV report here.

11January 2010 Colombo Sri Lanka CMEV has confirmed 176 Major incidents of election related violence as of today, since the gazette notification of presidential election on 23rd November 2009. Most of the major incidents (39) have been reported from the Southern Province. CMEV highlights the most recent confirmed Major incidents in this report. Download it in full here.