FIGHT FOR PREFERENTIAL VOTES HEATS UP IN KURUNEGALA HOUSE OF DAYASIRI SUPPORTER IN NIKAWERATIYA ATTACKED

2013-08-15

The continuous conflict between two groups of the United peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) candidates for Northwestern Provincial Council took a violent turn yesterday (August 14) when the house of a supporter of Dayasiri Jayasekara, Salinda Dissanayake and Jayarathne Herath faction was attacked. 

The victim W Mudianse Wanninayae told Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) that he supports Dayasiri Jayasekara, Piumal Herath and Manjula Dissanayake. "Around 2 am a vehicle stopped in front of my house and asked me to come out. Those who arrived threw stones at my house and broke all the windows. I didn't open the door. I am a supporter of the party that holds office, still I live in fear. Don't I have the right to support anyone I like," he told CaFFE.

 

CaFFE has observed that two groups of UPFA candidates are becoming increasingly antagonistic to each other. One group is lead by Minister Johnston Fernado and Indika Bandaranayake while the other  is lead by Dayasiri Jayasekara, Piumal Herath and Manjula Dissanayake. Supporters of the Fernando - Bandaranayake faction had earlier attacked a supporter of Manjula Dissanayake and offices of Jayasekara. 

 

CaFFE strongly advises the relevant authorities to take action to prevent future clashes between the two groups. 

 

 CaFFE Media