08th August 12:00 pm: The
Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) reports that as at 11am
a turnout of 30% from the Moneragala District and 40% from the Badulla
District has been recorded.
Attack and assault
An incident of assault was reported to CMEV by JVP M.P Samantha
Vidyarathana which took place at Polling station No. 01, Bathalayaya
Maha Vidyalaya (Hall No.1) Mahiyangana Polling Division, Badulla
District, at around 9.30 am. In the incident JVP candidate Wasantha
Kumara (Preferential No. 22) and six others including the driver
traveling in a vehicle (registration number LA-0370) were attacked by
supporters of UPFA candidate Anura Ravindra Widanagamage (Preferential
No. 6). The supporters allegedly had a T56 gun, iron bars and bicycle
chains. M.P. Vidyarathana reported that six people were injured but
were not taken to the hospital and that the windscreen of the vehicle
was damaged. A complaint had been lodged with the Girandurukotte Police
Station. M.P Vidyarathana claimed that Sub Inspector Janaka attached to
Mahiyangana Police station was an eye witness but that he did not take
any action. Girandurukotte Police confirmed that they received the
above complaint.
Campaigning during polling and transporting of voters
There were incidents of political parties campaigning and transporting
voters during the early hours of polling. Most of the incidents were
related to the UPFA alliance with a majority associated with UPFA
candidate Shashindra Rajapaksa and his supporters.
- A CMEV monitor stationed in Bibile reported that at 7.30am leaflets
of UPFA candidate Shashindra Rajapaksa (Preferential No. 13) were
distributed by a van (HH1214) 50 meters near to the Hepola Junior
School Polling Centre (No1), Bibile Polling Division,
Moneragala District. - A CMEV field monitor reported that handbills of UPFA candidates
Sujeewa Jayasinghe (Preferential No. 21), Manel Rathnayaka
(Preferential No. 15), D.D.W Wickremaratne (Preferential No. 13) and
Ajith Deshpriya Nilame Wickremaratne (Preferential No. 04) were
distributed by a group of 10-15 people, 200 meters near to Polling
Station No. 26, Katupelellegama Community Centre Polling Centre,
Badulla Polling Division, Badulla District, at around 9.00am.
- A CMEV mobile monitor reported that a van (WP PA 1108) pasted with
posters of UPFA candidate Shashindra Rajapaksa (Preferential No. 13)
was transporting voters to Polling Station No. 28, Ethimale Maha
Vidyalaya Polling Centre, Moneragala District, at around 10.20am. - A CMEV field monitor reported that a beige pick-up truck pasted
with posters of UPFA candidate Shashindra Rajapaksa (Preferential No.
13) transported voters to Polling Station No. 45, Illukkumbura Primary
School Polling Centre, Bibile Polling Division, Moneragala district, at
around 10.35am. - A CMEV mobile monitor reported that two cabs (bearing number WPPD
2084 and 58-6736) pasted with posters of UPFA candidate Shasheendra
Rajapaksa (Preferential No. 13) were transporting voters to polling
station No. 28, Ethimale Maha Vidyalaya (Hall No.1) Polling Centre,
Moneragala Polling division, Moneragala district, around 10.35am. - A CMEV field monitor reported that four supporters of UPFA
candidate Shashindra Rajapaksa (Preferential No. 13) were campaigning
by the gate of Polling Centre No. 20, Pallwatta Maha Vidyalaya (Hall
No.01) Polling Station, Wellawaya Polling Division, Moneragala
District, at around 10.55am. - Leaflets of the Democratic Unity Alliance candidates Nirmala
Dissnayake (Preferential No. 17) and Avan Appasamy (Preferential No.
02) were distributed in front of Polling Station No. 48,
B/Guruthalawa, St. Thomas Vidyalaya, Welimada Polling Division, Badulla
District, at around 9.05 am. According to a CMEV field monitor the
incident took place within 500 meters of the polling station.
Voter issues
There were a few incidents reported to CMEV which demonstrated the
continuing lack of awareness among voters of the proper forms of
identification required to cast their vote.
The Senior Presiding Officer from Polling Station No. 27,
Kumbukgeyaya Eksath Paropakara Society Hall Polling Centre, Moneragala
Polling Division, Moneargala District, reported to CMEV that 27 voters
were not given the right to vote because they failed to produce valid
identification documents.
A CMEV field monitor reported that at Polling Station No. 14,
Badullagammana Junior School polling center, Bibile polling division,
Moneragala District at around 9.30am, a voter who attempted to use the
receipt for a national identity card application given by the Grama
Sevaka was not allowed to cast his vote.
A CMEV field monitor reported that at Polling Station No. 39,
Allekona Junior School Polling Centre, Bibile Polling Division; a voter
was not allowed to cast his vote as he produced a photograph certified
by the Grama Sevaka (G.S)