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Corp. workers, union men targeted in post-poll violence
By Marisa de Silva
This year’s post election violence seems to be centred on attacks on Corporation employees and trade union officials. Both UPFA and UNP MPs have received numerous complaints of post election related violence from all parts of the island.

UNP deputy general secretary Tissa Attanayake said he had received many complaints of violent incidents, many from Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) employees, particularly at Sapugaskanda, Peradeniya and Kolonnawa and Ceylon Transport Board (CTB) depots all over the country.

Many employees of the CPC and the CTB had been allegedly obstructed from coming to work, harassed and threatened as a result of political tension, following the recently concluded Presidential election. Even teachers in the North Central Province had been unduly harassed and not allowed to carry out their duties, Mr. Attanayake said.

Among the other incidents was that of a house and vehicle being burned in Nawalapitiya and shop owners in Beliatta being harassed, whilst a shop in the area was also brought down to the ground, he said. Post election violence was also reported from areas such as Kekirawa and Nivitigala, he said.

In response to UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya’s complaint to President Mahinda Rajapakse requesting him to take action, the President had asked for a comprehensive report to be submitted to him on the incidents.

The UNP had also made a complaint to Minister A.H.M. Fowzie regarding violence against CPC employees, requesting him to ensure that the employees can get about their regular work as usual, said Mr. Attanayake. Around 300 post election related incidents were reported to the UNP, including about 30 serious incidents.

Meanwhile, JVP Parliamentarian Premasiri Manage who was in the group that was allegedly assaulted recently by UNP MP Mahinda Wijesekera and six of his supporters, questions the justice of the legal system and condemns the apparent UNP bias of certain Police officers.

He complains of the seemingly lethargic attitude with which the Police act on complaints made by UPFA supporters against UNP perpetrators. He said most of the complaints the JVP received were from the Dondra, Weligama and Akuressa areas and alleged some senior Police officers in Hakmana, Weligama and Matara were hand in glove with Mr. Wijesekera and thus wouldn’t take any action against him or his supporters. Instead, these officers were arresting people on false charges or for minor election violations and turning a blind eye to the graver acts of violence, he said.

“They have arrested people for pasting posters and distributing leaflets but have allowed bail to thugs and criminals who are in the possession of firearms and freely utilise them, smash vehicles and threaten people. Where’s the justice in that?” he asked.

CMEV co-convener P. Saravanamuttu said that except for a few serious incidents, there weren’t many significant incidents of post-election violence.
PAFFREL head Kingsley Rodrigo too said there were about 28 serious incidents reported and that most of the incidents had been to do with violence against CTB and CPC and trade unions officials.

There had also been many threats made to pro-UNP individuals in the Kegalle and Ampara regions, he added.

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