Fourth shooting incident reported from Mawilmada, Kandy
- Wednesday, 26 November 2014
Shots were fired at the office of UNP MP MMA Halim, at Mawilmada, Kandy, in the early hours of November 25. The windows and walls of the office were damaged. According to statistics of Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) this is the fourth incident of election violence with use of firearms after the Maithripala Sirisena declared his candidacy.
Halim has been actively promoting Sirisena and he was the facilitator of Sirisena's visit to Kandy Muslim Mosque. After the election was declared shooting incidents were reported from Maggona, Kalutara, Madampe, Puttalam (two incidents), and Mawilmada. Although the vehicle used to carry out the shooting incident at Maggona has been identified and despite the availability of CCTV footage Police has not taken steps to arrest any suspects. Chamila Ranasinghe, a former UNP local councillor, is currently undergoing treatment at Colombo National Hospital and is in critical condition.
Meanwhile CaFFE released footage which clearly shows who carried out the attack on a journalist in Mawathagama. However Police has not taken any steps to even take a statement from the Chairman of the Local Council.
CaFFE also believes that since Madampe and Mawilmada incidents were carried out in the night, police might altogether drop the investigation.
CaFFE expresses grave concern about the proliferation of violence in several parts of the island and urge relevant authorities to necessary action to stop these incidents.
UNP Made A Historic Sacrifice: Maithri
November 26, 2014
UNP frontliners and senior members today convened to express the support of an undivided UNP for the candidacy of SLFP stalwart Maithripala Sirisena, indicating the creation of a successful coalition movement to back the common opposition movement.
Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and UNP frontliners Sajith Premadasa, Tissa Attanayake, Karu Jayasuriya held a media briefing at the Sirikotha today to which defected MP Rajith Senaratne as well as the common candidate and former Minister Maithripala Sirisena too attended.
During the conference held this morning, Maithripala Sirisena said that their aim is to create a national government following the Presidential polls, if he is elected into power.
He thanked the UNP for their support while adding the party has made a historic sacrifice in supporting him despite his position in the SLFP as the General Secretary.
“The government is trying to mislead both the UNP-ers and SLFP-ers. We call upon the pblic o rise against this corrupt regime,” he said addressing the media and the public at the gathering today.
He also stated that although they are faced with safety concerns upon leaving the government but stressed on the fact that he has placed his security upon the people.
Meanwhile UNP frontliners Sajith Premadasa and party General Secretary Tissa Attanayake who also spoke to the media said that they support the decision made by the UNP.
“Our leader and working committee decided that the party should make a sacrifice. The UNP has spent enough time as the Opposition party. . . We believe this coalition will benefit the UNP-ers greatly,” UNP MP Sajith Premadasa said.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe commended Maithripala for agreeing to be the common candidate and said he has made a brave decision.
“Usually our opponents are the SLFP-ers but this time it is the Rajapaksa regime. . .Let us first unite with all other parties and ensure the common candidate emerges victorious,” he said while adding that it is time to create a new political culture which future generations would praise.
