CaFFE receives 239 complaints – Clashes between UPFA candidates rise

Wednesday, 28 August 2013 

Home and home fighting reach Jaffna - Gunfire and physical violence terrified Chavakachchri residents
Trend in election change – More infighting than inter group clashes

Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) has received 239 election related complaints by August 28 said National Organizer Ahmed Manas.

These include 86 complaints of misuse of public property, 107 complaints of illegal election propaganda and 26 reports of violence. Central province, with 114 reports, has recorded the highest number of election law violations, Northwestern Province with 85 complaints and Northern Province with 40 complaints follow. However the highest number of complaints from a single district has been received from Kurunegala District, (58.)

There was a shooting and assault last night (August 27) around 7.45 pm near Chavakachcheri Post Office, Jaffna. CaFFE observers stated that a group of UPFA supporters chased another group of the same party from Kodikamam to Chavakachcheri terrifying civilians. Two persons were wounded during the incident and have been hospitalized. Ramanathan, father of United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) candidate Angajan Ramanathan, is accused as the culprit. One of the wounded, Kanagalingam Nanda Kumar, is a close associate of another UPFA candidate Kumar Sarvanandan. Ramanathan was also accused of intimidating a Tamil National Alliance (TNA) supporter using a firearm six days ago.

On August 26 the residence of UPFA candidate Thilina Bandara Tennakoon was fired upon. This is the first incident involving firearms reported from Kandy District. Another clash between UPFA candidates was reported in Nawalapitiya, Kandy when supporters of Jagath Wijenayake were assaulted.

The unique feature of the election is that there have been minimal conflict between rival political parties and the increase of intraparty conflict between UPFA candidates. Three incidents of violence against Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna  (JVP) by UPFA has been reported while one incident of United National Party (UNP) supporters attacking UPFA supporters has been reported.