CaFFE Election Report # 58

Violence continues while Police look on

Campaign for Free and Fair Election (CaFFE) is dismayed by the increasing violence as election
day approached and the lukewarm attitude of the Police to curb the violence. There were several
incidents of serious cases serious violence on January 4-5 in Aralaganwila and Kahawatte using
firearms.
CaFFE has continued to warn that the inaction of the Police would lead to an increase in election
related violence and as predicted we see a number of politicians using firearms to intimidate
political opponents.
If relevant authorities need to hold a free and fair election Police need to take impartial action
against all perpetrators of election law violations.

Shots fired at Kahawatte Election stage of Common Opposition Candidate

Shots fired at Kahawatte Election stage of Common Opposition Candidate, where the last rally of
Sirisena in Ratnapura district will be held, at around 2am today (05). The stage was being built at
Kahawatte Public Ground and over 200 people including UNP MP Thalatha Atukorale were
present when the incident occurred.

Assailants have arrived in eight vehicles and they were led by a UPFA MP known for violence in
Ratnapura. After they started attacking the stage UNP supporters retaliated and it was at this point
that UPFA MP's group started firing at the crowd with a T 56 weapon.
Three UNP supporters were wounded and one person, who got shot in the abdomen is in critical
condition. All are being treated at Ratnapura Hospital. Meanwhile two vehicles used by the
assailants have also been damaged by UNP supporters.
After the incident supporters of Common Opposition Candidate blocked Kahawatte road and burnt
down a number of election offices of UPFA MP Premalal Jayasekara aka Choka Malli were
destroyed. The roads were closed for over four hours because of the incident.
police have not taken any action until two hours of the initial incident. They only reacted when the
UNP supporters started attacking Jayasekara's offices.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2015 | CaFFE Election Report # 57

Election officers in Trincomalee attacked

A group of officers attached to Trincomalee Election Department Office were assaulted when they
tried to stop the illegal use of giant digital screens for election propaganda. The assault was led by
a coordinating officer of a Trincomalee District MP. One election officer was hit on the head with
a chair and he has been hospitalized ude to neck injuries.
In addition a staff officer of UPFA Deputy Minister Susantha Punchinilame has also lodged a
complaint against the election officers stating that they tried to steal items from election offices.
The Election Officers have gone for the investigation with nine members of the police.

UNP supporter assaulted in Divlapitiya

A UNP supporter, Ranjith Wijesiri of Hunumulla, Thammita was assaulted at 4.30 am on January
4 by a group traveling from a Defender Jeep (no PE 6890). Wijesiri was on his way home on a
motor cycle from Dunagaha UNP office. Among the assailants are Divlapitiya PS Chairman Indika
Anuruddha. The victim is being treated at Gampaha hospital.

PM coordinating secretary's house attacked

The residence of Prime Ministerial Coordinating secretary, PB Nugaliyedda, who joined the
common opposition candidate, was attacked around 11.30 pm on January 3. The assailants arrived
in a van and Nugaliyedda's vehicle was also damaged. Tow persons in the house were wounded.

NDF supporter attacked

Residence of Wasantha Sisira Kumara, next to the Common Opposition Candidate's election office
in Galenbindunuwewa, Kekirawa was attacked around 1 am on January 3. The assailants arrived in
a white coloured cab.

Journalist intimidated at a Common Opposition Rally in Kolonnawa

A Sirasa U-reporter who tried to document an attempt by a group traveling in a Black coloured
jeep to disrupt a rally by the Common Opposition in Kolonnawa was threatened. His camera was
taken and footage was erased.

Ratnapura common opposition supporter attacked

Two NDF supporters, returning home after a pocket meeting in Ayagama, Ketepola to support the
Common Opposition Candidate, was assaulted on January 3. The three wheeler in which they were
traveling in was stopped at Ketepola by Ayagama PS Member Neveille who assaulted the two men
with a pistol. The three wheeler was also damaged.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2015 | CaFFE Election Report # 57

Civil society activists intimidated

The Decapitated head of a dog was placed opposite the residence of well known civil society
activist, Brito Fernnado today morning. The same occured at the house of Prasanga, an associate of
Fernando. CaFFE considers this as a direct message to civil society activists who are engaged in
dissenting politics.
CaFFE Media Unit

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2015 | CaFFE Election Report # 57