Report released on 20 January 2010.
Download it as a PDF here.
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Eastern Province
Hurt and Arson in Ampara
According to NC supporter Mr. Saleem Raniz, at 3.30am this morning,
he was assaulted and his motorbike (GQ 9978) was set on fire, by SLMC
supporters Attalachchenai Provincial Councilor Mr. Mazoor Sinnalebbei
(who arrived in a dark blue vehicle), Mr. A.L. Makkeen, Mr. R. Nawaz and
Mr. Nauzath, at Noor Mosque Road, Attalachchenai. Mr. Raniz had fled
the scene when assaulted, leaving his motorbike behind, at which point
it had been set on fire by the attackers. According to a staff member at
the Akkaraipattu Hospital, Mr. Raniz was admitted to ward 5 of the
hospital, and is receiving treatment for injuries to his arms and knee.
As has been the case on several previous occasions, the Akkaraipattu
Police did not provide any information to CMEV regarding the incident.
When contacted, the Akkaraipattu Police gave CMEV the mobile number of
the Elections Branch OIC Dissanayake. OIC Dissanayake when contacted,
told CMEV to contact the Akkaraipattu Police station. When subsequently
contacted the OIC cut the line on CMEV twice.
When contacted, Mr. Mazoor Sinnalebbei told CMEV that he was in no
way involved with the incident.
Hurt in Batticaloa
According to the CMEV monitor, at approximately 10.15am on the 19th of January, UNP supporter and Former Member of Parliament TNA Mr.
Gnananuttu Krishnapillai (a.k.a. Vellimalai) was assaulted by TMVP
supporter Mr. Thayagan and 2 others in the vicinity of the Palugamam
Kandumani Vidyalaya, Kalavanchikudi, resulting in head injuries. The
attackers had arrived in a white van. According to a staff member at the
Batticaloa Hospital, Mr. Krishnapillai had three stitches to his head.
At approximately 9.15am, Mr. Krishnapillai received a phone call from
an unidentified person, threatening him to stop his work for the UNP if
he wished to remain safe. Mr. Krishnapillai was in the process of
organizing transport for supporters to attend General Fonseka’s rally
that was due to be held at approximately 2.00pm in Batticaloa, when he
was attacked. Mr. Krishnapillai had obtained treatment from the hospital
and proceeded to General Fonseka’s rally. Later that evening at
approximately 4.30pm, another call was made to Mr. Krishnapillai’s
house, which was answered by his son. The caller had said that this was
the final warning given to Mr. Krishnapillai and that he should stop his
activities for the UNP immediately.
According to an Officer at the Kalavanchikudi Police, a complaint has
been lodged in this regard, bearing the number EIB 05/22.
When contacted Organizer for TMVP Batticaloa Mr. Prasathan told CMEV
that he had heard of the assault, but claimed he did not know if their
party supporters were involved.
Western Province
Attack on Party Office and Assault in Colombo
According to a fax received from Sirikotha, at approximately 12.45am,
Mr. M.A.D. Roshan Chanaka was struck at the back of his neck, by an
unknown person at Ihala Bomiriya, Kaduwela. According to a staff member
at the Navagamuwa Hospital, Mr. Chanaka was admitted to ward 1, had
received treatment for bruising, and has been discharged subsequently.
According to Western Provincial Councilor Mr. Jayantha Katagoda, at
approximately 12.40am, the UNP party office located at Ihala Bomiriya
was attacked by a group of unknown persons, and Mr. Chanaka who lives in
the vicinity, had come to the location upon hearing loud noises, at
which point he was assaulted.
When contacted, Election OIC of the Navagamuwa Police SI Muditha told
CMEV that a minor assault had taken place, adding that the complaints
related to both the party office attack as well as the assault, had been
recorded in the Crimes Information Book, CIB II/302/273 and CIB
II/301/272 respectively.
Northern Province
Hurt and Damage to Property in Jaffna District
According to a fax received from Sirikotha, at approximately 4.00pm
on the 19th of January, UNP supporters Mr. M. Lawakumar, Mr.
R. Ramesh and several others who were returning from campaigning for
General Fonseka, were assaulted by a group of unidentified persons at
the Iranamadu Junction. The attackers had also caused damage to the
vehicle (WPG0792) in which the victims traveled.
When contacted, OIC Elections Branch Kilinochchi Police SI Ratnayake
told CMEV that 2 persons were injured in the incident, and taken to the
Kilinochchi Hospital for treatment. A complaint bearing the number
EIB/01/2010 has been lodged at the station.
When contacted, Nursing Officer Mr. R. Rahavan told CMEV that Mr.
Lawakumar was admitted to the Accident and Emergency Unit, received
treatment, and has now been discharged.
Southern Province
Hurt in Galle
According to a fax received from Mr. Themiya Hurulle of the NDF
party, at approximately 12.30am on the 19th of January, JVP
supporter Mr. Lamal Gamlath was assaulted by Mr. Manoj and Mr. Nalin who
arrived on a motorbike, while he was decorating a JVP party office
located at Thalgaspe, Pitigala. Mr. Gamlath suffered injuries to his
forehead and was admitted to ward 1 of the Elpitiya Hospital as
confirmed by the CMEV monitor. Mr. Gamlath was then moved to the
Karapitiya Hospital by his relatives and presently remains in ward 9 as
confirmed by a hospital staff member. Two other persons Mr. Anura and
Mr. Vijay were also with Mr. Gamlath, but fled the scene upon arrival of
the attackers.
When contacted, the OIC Deepal of the Pitigala Police told CMEV that
they could not provide any information regarding the incident as it was
lodged as CIB. He asked CMEV to obtain information from the Media
Spokesperson.
OIC Amarasinghe of the Election Branch of the Elpitiya Divisional
Police Station told CMEV that they have received information regarding
the incident, including the names of the attackers. He added that there
are other allegations against Mr. Manoj, who is currently being sought
by the Police, but he has thus far not been apprehended. He told CMEV
that investigations into the incident are currently underway.
Mr. Gamlath had told the CMEV monitor that he suspects the attackers
to be UPFA party supporters. According to Pradeshiya Sabbha member for
Elpitiya Mr. Amila Kariyawasam, they have received information regarding
the incident, according to which they believe that the attack was
personal and not election related.