Sri Lanka's Tamils face violence, intimidation ahead of provincial vote

Candidates describe campaign of beatings, bribes and interference by army as vote looms — empty allegations, according to the military commander of this war-scarred province.

DINUKA LIYANAWATTE / REUTERS

Polling officers and police wait in line as they prepare to go to voting centres in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, on Friday. The island's Northern Province is holding its first council elections in 25 years.

By: Rosie DiManno Columnist, Published on Sat Sep 21 2013

The Toronto Star

JAFFNA, SRI LANKA—In the crowded hospital, there are no beds for the beaten. They languish on rugs unrolled across the ward floor, nursing their injuries: a fractured forearm, a gash on the forehead, broken fingers.

This is what a “free and fair” election looks like in the Northern Province.

This is what the Sri Lankan army says isn’t happening — or at least says it has nothing to do with.

Sri Lanka's Tamils Face Violence, Intimidation Ahead of Provincial Vote by nelvely

Canada Concerned by Reports of Election Violence in Sri Lanka

September 20, 2013 - Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights, today issued the following statement:

“Canada is deeply concerned by continuing reports of violence against electoral candidates and an election observer in the lead-up to the three provincial council elections that will take place in Sri Lanka on September 21.

“Such acts of intimidation are completely unacceptable, and the perpetrators of these crimes must be brought to justice.

“Canada calls on all parties to refrain from violence to allow credible, free and fair elections to take place.

“Canada stands by Sri Lankans as they exercise their fundamental and democratic right to vote for the candidates of their choice in these important elections.”

- 30 -

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
613-995-1874
media@international.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @DFATDCanada

CAFFE ELECTION DAY REPORT ON NORTHERN, CENTRAL AND NORTHWESTERN PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS 2013 SRI LANKA

2013-09-21

Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) has received 84 complaints during the Election Day (September 21) between 7 am and 4 pm. Out of which 38 have been on illegal election propaganda. There were 26 cases of election related violence, with three shooting incidents, and 11 instances of security force involvement.

Caffe Election Day Report on Northern, Central and Northwestern Provincial Elections 2013 Sri Lanka by nelvely

SL Muslims and the state racists

By Izeth Hussain-September 20, 2013, 9:15 pm 

Bravo Rauf Hakeem! Bravo Rishad Bathiudin! Bravo the SLMC! Bravo the Sri Lanka Muslim Council! And Bravo all the Muslims who gave vent to the widespread sense of outrage felt by most Muslims over certain statements made by the Defence Secretary! Unfortunately other Muslim politicians, who were splendidly outspoken on the anti-Muslim campaign only the other day, have again fallen silent, reverting to their traditional policy of refusing to represent Muslim interests on anything that might be controversial. Unfortunately the All Ceylon YMMA has done worse. Claiming to speak in a representative capacity, it has let fly against "certain extremist elements" – without daring to name them – that have portrayed the Defence Secretary’s message in a negative manner.

SL Muslims and the State Racists by nelvely

PC Elections: Rajapaksa Economics And TNA Politics

By Rajan Philips -September 22, 2013 

Rajan Philips

The voting is over in the three Provincial Council elections that concluded yesterday.  The news over the coming days and weeks and even months will be saturated with election results analyses and commentaries, especially the results of the Northern Provincial Council election.  If predictions hold, the UPFA will triumph as usual in the North Western Province and the Central Province, but it is the TNA that is expected to topple the UPFA cart in the Northern Province.  So there will be one part of the country where the Rajapaksa regime will not be total control.  After trying everything to cancel the Northern PC election and to dilute PC powers pre-emptively,  government leaders, i.e. Rajapaksa brothersand their inner circles, seem to have conceded the North to the TNA. 

With defeat staring at them, the government cheer leaders led by the President himself, went on the attack against the TNA.  The President even played the other North-South card, i.e. the Jaffna Tamil vs Colombo Tamil card, poking mock fun at the TNA leadership for inflicting a Colombo Tamil, Justice Wigneswaran, on the hapless Jaffna Tamil voters.  Aren’t there good enough people in Jaffna, he has asked, clearly enjoying holding the wooden spoon to stir the Jaffna pot.  Good for him, but it would be better for the Tamils if President Rajapaksa would similarly be concerned about the Sri Lankan State’s inflictions on Jaffna and everywhere else in the North and East. 

To wit, the President cannot find suitable Tamils, Muslims, or even civilian Sinhalese, to be Governors of the Northern and Eastern Provinces.  He is either unaware of or does not care about the continuing military intrusions in the lives of ordinary people in the two Provinces.  A President who can fire his Chief Justice has shown no willingness to step in and address the basic request of the people of Jaffna to get their homes and properties back.  They have to go to the court instead.  And the Tamils of the North and East are not to be given a civilian police force with whom they can talk without translation. Read More

In Memory Of Lasantha: Media And The Self-Preservation Policy Of Rajapaksa

By J. S. Tissainayagam -September 22, 2013 

J.S. Tissainayagam

Ladies and Gentlemen: good afternoon. I’m happy to be here with you and speak at this event. I would like to thank the organisers for putting together the Lasantha Wickrematunge Memorial Lecture.

I worked with Lasantha at the Sunday Leader between 1999 and 2002. It is tragic that media censorship and political oppression against which Lasantha struggled valiantly then, and for which he died in 2009, persist four years after his death.

Following the military campaign, there are fundamentally two ways whereby the present Sri Lanka government has imposed censorship. One is through legislation; the other by physically targeting journalists. I am not going into detail about these legal measures due to the paucity of time. There is of course the notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act. But more importantly, there were new regulations that came into effect after armed combat ended in May 2009. They mostly pertain to restricting the dissemination of news on the internet and via telecommunication networks.

I now come to the second form of control – terrorising journalists. There are a number of ways whereby this happens: disappearance, abduction, imprisonment threat and torture. Prageeth Ekneliayagoda, for whom this empty chair is dedicated, disappeared from the capital city of Colombo eight months after the military campaign had ended. Today the government’s only answer to his disappearance is to orchestrate a smear campaign against his wife and refuse to conduct a credible investigation into the incident.

Read More

People proved victory of TNA in North: C.V.Wingneswaran [ Saturday, 21 September 2013, 01:49.40 PM GMT +05:30 ] Voters of Northern Provincial Council as confirmed the victory of Tamil National Alliance in the Northern Province. Speaking to Lankansri FM TNA Chief Ministerial candidate C.V.Wigneswaran went on to say, Government threatened voters and prevent them voting, however our people have proved our victory in the province. CAFFE ELECTION MONITOR ASSAULTED IN KILLINOCHCHI, SRI LANKA 2013-09-21 An election monitor attached to Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) been assaulted by supporters of the EPDP in Shanthipuram, Kilinochchi a short while ago today (September 21.) CaFFE observer Gunarasa were assaulted by EPDP supporters who were distributing food among voters. Gunarasa, 43, was admitted to the Kilinochchi Hospital.  Earlier Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) received a complaint that Kilinochchi voters are being transported in vehicles in Walappadu, Veravil Poonakari. When CaFFE observers arrived they saw around 20-25 persons and observed EPDP supporters, with a group that can be suspected as military personnel, were distributing biscuits and soft drinks among those gathered. A fishermen’s cooperative by EPDP was carrying this out using vehicle no WP HC 6131. They have told us that EPDP always distributed biscuits and soft drinks to voters in each election. At this point Kilinochchi MP Chandrakumaran has spoken with one of our observers over the phone. He has asked our monitor whether CaFFE is supporting the TNA. The MP spoke to our monitor on 0777 811 218.  CaFFE informed the Commissioner of Elections about the activities of the EPDP and we copied our complaint to the MP. It was at this point that the EPDP supporters assaulted our observers. CaFFE team was lead by one of our officers in Galle, she is one of the most senior election monitors in the country. The others in the team, also well experienced, are residents of Kilinochchi. After the attack the EPDP MP wrote to CaFFE alleging that we support the TNA.  CaFFE is dismayed by the attacks on independent election monitors, first in Jaffna and now in Kilinochchi, as the attacks on these impartial observers is an indication of the deteriorated state of Sri Lanka's representative democracy.

Updated: Northern Postal Vote Results: 2303 Vote Lead For TNA

Updated:-September 22, 2013 

The Tamil National Alliance took a very early lead in the race for the Northern Provincial Council when it clinched the races for postal votes in the Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Vavuniya Districts gaining on the ruling United Peoples’ Alliance by a margin of 2303.

In the Vavuniya Postal Vote Results, the TNA obtained 901 votes, the UPFA received 323 and the UNP received 65.

Updated:

The Tamil National Alliance took a very early lead in the race for the Northern Provincial Council when it clinched the races for postal votes in the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi Districts gaining on the ruling United Peoples’ Alliance by a margin of 1096.

In the Mullaitivu District, the TNA which is the main opposition party in the Northern Provincial battle obtained 646 votes to the ruling UPFA’s 146.

The United National Party secured 02 votes.

In the Kilinochchi District the TNA received 756 votes to the UPFA’s 160, while the UNP managed one postal vote of the entire valid votes in the District.

Postal votes are traditionally cast by Government Servants who might be serving outside a home district. Postal voting results do not necessarily reflect the final result of a poll.

Mullaitivu is the former LTTE stronghold in the Wanni where the final battles of Sri Lanka’s separatist war was waged. The UN claims 40,000 people died in the final days of the battle along the Mullaitivu coast, an allegation staunchly denied by the Sri Lankan Government.

Northern Tamils went to the polls today to elect their provincial legislators for the first time in 25 years.

Related posts;

First Northern Province Postal Poll Result Released: 500 Vote Lead For TNA

Khmer Rouge Beshanaya

By Harendra de Silva -

September 21, 2013 |

Prof Harendra de Silva

A new book on Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot by Dr Ruwan M Jayatunge

(Khmer Rouge Beshanaya.   Publisher:  Sarasavi Publishers)

Dr. Ruwan Jayatunga has in the usual manner come out with a challenging socio-psychological analysis of one of the most disturbing systematic manslaughters in the last century. It signifies several basic weaknesses humans are vulnerable to, that drive them through incomprehensible behaviour that would lead to human tragedy and subsequent regret by the community that took part in the machination of this inconceivable human behaviour. It only takes one leader with charisma and one track power hungry vision and commitment to drive a similar group of immediate subordinates, but more importantly vulnerable wider society may behave as a ‘herd’ without comprehending the outcome. Although the leadership may never regret what happened because of their psychopathic mindset, the community that was used as an instrument to commit the dastardly acts would regret the actions later on.

Read Mor

Centre for Monitoring Election Violence

Northern Provincial Council Election 2013 – Communiqué No 9

21^st September 2013: Conclusion of Polls 4pm

The North Provincial Council Elections saw a relatively high turnout as compared to previous elections. While the number of incidents recorded on election day was not of a high frequency, polling day and the campaign period saw a series of electoral malpractices and violations which seriously undermined the free and fair nature of the electoral process. On election day there were a number of violations including acts of arson, assault and intimidation, transportation of voters and campaigning, and an assault of an election monitor. During the campaign period CMEV highlighted a number of key problems including misuse of state resources, high military presence and involvement in support of the Government, and persons in civilian clothing and unidentified groups intimidating opposition political parties and potential voters.

Northern Provincial Council Election 2013 Communiquc3a9 No 92 by nelvely

Northern Provincial Elections take place under draconian intimidation measures

21 September 2013

The highly controversial Northern-Provincial Elections took place today, after a week that saw the attack of an electoral candidate’s residence, the death of a TNA campaigner and several other draconian measures .

Copy of fake Uthayan Newspaper- Courtesy www.Seithy.com

Northern Provincial Elections Take Place Under Draconian Intimidation Measures by nelvely

NPC Polls Close Round Up: Voting Was Slow In Jaffna

September 21, 2013 

Voting has concluded in Sri Lanka’s Northern Provincial Council election, where initial estimates say voter turnout in the historic election for the country’s Tamil population would be about 68 percent province wide.

Voting was slow in the Jaffna District in the early morning hours but picked up significantly by mid-morning and slowed again by afternoon.

The Mannar District in the Northern Province is expected to have the highest voter turnout province-wide.

In the Northern Capital of Jaffna, the elderly, the displaced, former combatants and young people arrived at polling stations to cast their votes creating long lines at selected polling stations.

Polling commenced at 7 a.m. with election monitors recording about 20 incidents of violence and intimidation while voting was underway.

PAFFREL, a local monitoring agency confirmed that 30 soldiers had visited the Mathagal village in Jaffna and told people to refrain from casting their ballots. The local monitors said the entire village had not voted in today’s election.

The Tamil National Alliance the main opposition party in this election that is widely expected to win the poll says voters have been prevented from reaching polling stations by soldiers in civilian clothing. Many of the soldiers were from nearby army camps, the TNA says, and voters were able to recognise them on sight.

In Pali Nagar in the Mullaitivu District, the home of a TNA polling agent was burned down, local election monitors said.

One TNA candidate was shot at outside a polling station that was next to a military camp, local monitors CaFFE confirmed. The incident took place at around 2 p.m.

The Northern Province is electing its provincial representatives for the first time in 25 years. The Provincial Council system set up under the terms of the Indo-Lanka Accord was the 1987 attempt to resolve Sri Lanka’s ethnic struggle that had erupted into an armed insurgency by the 80s. The last time Northern Tamils voted to elect a Provincial Council the provinces of the North and East were still one administrative unit. In 2006, by Supreme Court order, the East was officially demerged from the North, with its own Council.

Keppettipola Disawe Was A Prabakaran

By C. Wijeyawickrema -September 21, 2013

“If Sir D.B. Jayatilleke became the first PM of Ceylon, the island’s fate would have been so different.” - Ven. Balangoda Anandamaitreeya Mahanayaka Thero

“UNP and SLFP destroyed Sri Lanka.” - Ven. Walpola Rahula (at a public meeting attended by both JRJ and Mrs. B)

Snakes wondering yonder!

It looks like president Rajapakse (MR) is getting what he has asked for even before the Wigneswaran election on the 21st. Like every other previous president or PM, he has become a prisoner in the hands of the Colombo black-white establishment, Marxists remnants and the owner-families and officers of the gold mine called the PC white elephant.  He did not want to remove 13-A because of these southern PC catchers. Rajiv Gandhi and Dixit wanted only one PC—the merged N-E province, the traditional Tamil homeland recognized in the Rajiv-JRJ 1987 agreement.  But JRJ thought he could outsmart the young race car driving pilot by extending the agreement to the other seven provinces also. Now in an ironical twist, MR has taken a decision to hold an NP election, to save the gold diggers of the southern PCs.                              Read More

Centre for Monitoring Election Violence

Northern Provincial Council Election 2013 – Communiqué No 8

Northern Provincial Council Election 2013 – Communiqué No 8

21^st September 2013: 12 pm

CMEV has received complaints of a number of incidents on election day since polls opened at 7 am, including an assault, intimidation of voters, campaigning near polling stations and distribution of food items while canvassing. As of twelve noon there had been a moderate turnout in urban areas in Jaffna. However, CMEV has also received reports that there has been low turnout in other areas, including in Mullaitivu districts. In these areas voters had to travel significant distances, up to 22 km to get to polling stations. CMEV had raised this issue with the Election Commissioner who provided assurances that transport would be provided free of charge but as of 12 noon transport is very limited or not available.  Specific incidents where voters have been intimidated, allegedly by UPFA politicians and the military have resulted in fear among voters in these locations.

Northern Provincial Council Election 2013 Communiquc3a9 No 8 by nelvely

What’s in a box?

September 20, 2013, 9:12 pm 

Today, we front-page a photograph of Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya holding one of the new ballot boxes introduced as part of a pilot project. This is a very good move in that people could see what’s in those boxes.

What’s in a box by nelvely

Al Jazeera Channel Blocked In Sri Lanka

September 21, 2013 

The cable news provider Dialog TV has blocked the Doha based Al Jazeera news network to prevent thechannels reports on Sri Lanka’s Northern Provincial Council elections reaching local audiences.

Sources close to the private company said the channel has been unofficially ‘blocked’ on the cable network.

The private television provider may be following unofficial instructions by the Government, the sources said.

The blockage is likely a result of the network’s ongoing coverage of the Northern Provincial Council election that has been intense on international news networks due to the heavy presence of the international press covering the polls in Sri Lanka’s north.

Consumers calling the network to report the problem have been informed by Customer Care representatives that the suspension of the Al Jazeera channel is due to a technical problem on the part of the content-provider, referring to the Qatar based channel.

However it is learnt that no official notification has been received by Al Jazeera regarding the unofficial ‘block’ on the channel in Sri Lanka.

Sources said it was likely the unofficial censorship would be lifted on Al Jazeera once coverage on the Northern poll ends.

The Government frequently uses the Dialog network to conduct its illegal blocking of websites as was recently observed when Colombo Telegraph was unofficially censored on local internet service providers SLT, MOBITEL and Dialog even though the Telecom Regulatory Commission denied it ordered the blockade.

Following repeated consumer queries and complaints, Colombo Telegraph was made available once again on the Dialog network. It remains unclear why the private communications provider regularly follows instructions by the ruling regime in without official notice when other privately owned providers like Etisalat do not adhere to ‘unofficial orders’ by the State.

European Court of Human Rights Ordered Not To Deport A Tamil Asylum-Seeker To Sri Lanka

September 21, 2013 

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has invoked on Thursday article 39 of its Rules indicating an interim measure in a case involving the expulsion of a Tamil from France. The request for an interim measure means that Paris will have to refrain from expelling the asylum-seeker until the judgment becomes final or until further order.

The asylum-seeker had medical documentation confirming signs of torture.

The judgment is available here

Northern Elections: A litmus test for democracy or Tamil national aspirations?

BY NIRMANUSAN BALASUNDARAM-21 SEPTEMBER 2013

Just a few hours after the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon announced the forthcoming provincial elections in Sri Lanka to be an important opportunity for political reconciliation in the country, a terrifying attack took place against the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) candidate, Mrs Ananthi Sasitharan at Chuzhipuram in Jaffna at approximately 12:45 am.

The incident was firstly reported via twitter by the Jaffna Press Club:

y be a testing ground that would prove Tamil people’s undying resilience and collective will to be free.

© JDS

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Nirmanusan Balasundaram is an exiled journalist and a human rights defender. He holds an MA in Peace and Conflict Studies from the European University Center for Peace Studies in Austria.

Northern Elections a Litmus Test for Democracy or Tamil National Aspirations by nelvely