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Opposition, poll monitors urge Govt. action against its supporters’ post-poll thuggery
Opposition members and polls monitoring groups have urged the Government to take stern and urgent measures to stop post-election violence alleging that, their supporters are being subjected to threats and intimidation.
Since the conclusion of the January 8 presidential poll, two people have been killed, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) sources said, while nine complaints of harassment, intimidation and influence on State officials were reported. The Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) reported receiving complaints of 48 violent incidents with 22 cases of assault.
The most high profile case of post-election violence was reported from Agalawatta, Kalutara, when a group of United National Party (UNP) supporters led by Kalutara District UNP MP Palitha Thewarapperuma vandalised a UPFA Party office, while UPFA Councillor Murugan Pushpakumaran was forced to kneel before being assaulted.
Mr. Thewarapperuma, and three others were arrested by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) after surrendering last Wednesday. They were produced in court the same day and remanded till February 2, according to a senior officer of the Matugama Police.
Meanwhile, President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to appoint a team to probe the incident involving Mr. Thewarapperuma.
National Freedom Front (NFF) media spokesman Mohamed Muzammil has complained in writing to the IGP that he was a victim of the ill-treatment by the police for being an outspoken Opposition member, and the police had attempted to break into his house in Moragahahena last Tuesday (20), without a search warrant. He further added that he allowed the police to search his house last Wednesday (21), honouring a request made by the Moragahahena Police OIC.
A UNP supporter was killed in Kumbutukuliya, Chilaw, following a brawl on January 10. The deceased, Warnakulasuriya Manjula Prasanna, along with nine UNP supporters, became involved in a brawl at the house of UPFA supporter Jayasuriya Rajapaksage Sarath alias ‘Karate Suda’, and his son Sanjeewa, which resulted in Prasanna’s death.
According to police reports, five suspects have been arrested by the Chilaw Police and remanded pending further investigations.
According to PAFFREL reports, SLTB Depot Managers of Divulapitiya and Ja-Ela depots have been prevented from reporting to work on the day after the presidential election, by members of the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, Minister of Highways and Investment Promotion and UNP General Secretary, Kabir Hashim said that the President and Prime Minister had ordered the police and other relevant authorities to take necessary action to avert post-election violence, regardless of Party affiliations and prosecute them under the laws of the country.
Additional Secretary of Defence, D.M.S.D. Jayaratne said that her division, after being appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena to look into post-election violence, has received complaints of intimidation, harassment and undue influence of employees by trade unions within State institutions.
She said that most of the complaints have been from employees of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), and the complaints were directed to the relevant State authority heads to take stern action, to ensure an uninterrupted service to the public.
UPFA General Secretary, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said he is disappointed at the post-election treatment meted out to UPFA supporters at the hands of Government supporters.
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) media spokesman, Vijitha Herath condemned the post presidential election violence, stating that the hierarchy of each Party should take disciplinary action against such violators, irrespective of their membership status within their Party.
PAFFREL Executive Director, Rohana Hettiarachchi told the Sunday Times that his organisation has requested the new Government to appoint an independent committee to conduct investigations into pre- and post-election violence and take necessary legal and disciplinary action against offenders.