TNA to support Maithri in Jaffna

TNA to support Maithri in Jaffna

By Ananth Palakidnar-2014-12-28

The Tamil National Alliance is expected to announce its support to the Common Opposition Candidate Maithripala Sirisena, at his first meeting, scheduled to be held in Jaffna on Tuesday, 30 December.
According to sources, Sirisena will address his first Jaffna meeting at Muththirai Chanthi in Nallur, where the TNA 's General Secretary and the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) President Mavai S. Senathiraja is expected to announce the alliance's support to him.

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne with several prominent political figures from the UNP, will address the Jaffna rally.
Meanwhile,, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Leader R. Sampanthan, who was on medication in India, is expected to arrive at Colombo today (28) and the TNA members will hold a special meeting with him to discuss the forthcoming Presidential Polls, sources said.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa will also hold his first Presidential Election rally in Jaffna on Friday, 2 January.
The train service to the Northern-most station Kankesanthurai (KKS) from Jaffna will also resume on 02 January.
However, taking into consideration the election laws, President Rajapaksa will not inaugurate the train service officially. But he is expected to buy a ticket at the Jaffna Railway Station and travel by train to KKS.

President Rajapaksa's Jaffna election rally will take place at the Duraiappah Stadium presided over by Minister and EPDP leader Douglas Devananda, sources said.
A week ago, President Rajapaksa appeared for his first election meeting in the Northern Province in the Mullaitivu District followed by the second meeting in the Kilinochchi District.

Pro MaRa judges thrown out wholesale when appointing new office bearers to judges association

(Lanka-e-News- 27.Dec.2014, 4.30PM) A most salutary change took place at the annual judges association convention held recently. The pro MaRa bootlicking judges who held office bearer positions in the association were replaced by new judges when new appointments were made. Although the list of corrupt judges led by the biggest culprit and MaRa stooge Aravinda Perera was in the ready, and while those aspirants earnestly anticipated positions , they did not however receive any support .

Outsider to this , Mohan Peiris the chief justice better known as ‘cheat justice’ another shameless lickspittle of MaRa having perceived that this corrupt crooked pro MaRa cronies and stooges will lose had advised in order to save face that Sujatha Alahaperuma replace Aravinda in the contest and forward that list . Although Sujatha Alahaperuma is a so called sister of Minister Dallas Alahaperuma , she had not apparently soiled her reputation to the extent of her brother .Yet , out of the 160 judges , only 20 judges appeared to be supporting Sujatha .When this was known ahead , the pro MaRa cronies and crooks were nonplussed and flabbergasted so much so that they finally refrained from proposing any list of names.

Accordingly , the new office bearers of the Judges association based on independent selection are as follows 

President – District judge Vasantha Jinadasa

Secretary – District judge Ranga Dissanayake

Vice President –District judge Aruna Aluthge

Vice President – District judge Rashmi Singapulli

The successful cancellation of speeches of Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse and the Central bank governor Nivard Cabraal , an accused in a fraud , coupled with the new appointments to the offices of the judges association is considered by one and all as a victory for the judges who cherish and treasure judicial independence .

Moreover , it is the consensus specially in the judicial sphere that this welcome change is paving the way for an independent judiciary which is currently facing the gravest threat ever in Sri Lanka’s history .

The Curse Of The Executive & The Rajapaksa’s ‘Governance”

( December 27, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sri Lankans were relieved and thrilled to get rid of the LTTE in ’09 and had enormous expectations of progress and good governance. The credit of this should obviously go to the Rajapaksa government as well as all those who fought on the battle front.

With 2/3rd’s parliamentary majority which may have been achieved by buying over corrupt opposition politicians, still gave total power and suppor to do good to Lanka, but unfortunately this power has been used to get more power, breaking all norms of decent standards and governance.

The Curse of the Executive & the Rajapaksa’s ‘Governance” by Thavam Ratna

Sumanasiri Liyanage’s Mis-“Reading Election Manifestos”

By Laksiri Fernando -December 27, 2014 

Dr. Laksiri Fernando

If there is any positive contribution, at this stage of the forthcoming presidential elections, in what Sumanasiri Liyanage has outlined as “Reading Election Manifestos,” then that is his mentioning of several social movements that emerged in the recent past, raising several socio-economic and political issues and opposing the repressive nature of the Rajapaksa regime.

Even here he has segregated them into two, and conveniently undermined the first as “urban and elitist.” He has added that they work within the “economic-legal structure of neoliberalism.”

As far as I am concerned, a democracy movement, by definition is a multiclass movement. Therefore, his segregation is not only counterproductive but also divisive. However, he has another point in vaguely saying that what was present before 1994 is now absent.

To him that is the “power-sharing element” or “going beyond the 13^th Amendment.” In my generic terms, what is lacking is multiculturalism or multi-ethnicity. This is something I have pointed out in my previous articles. To me, any forceful democracy movement in Sri Lanka should be both multiclass and multicultural/multiethnic. What specific elements that such a movement should entail is a matter left for the participants. What is important first is the participation and encouragement of diverse communities in such a movement and not mere lip service.

Connection

What is particularly mistaken in his interpretation of the present situation, in my view, is his failure to see a connection between the emergent social movements and the common opposition. Not that he is completely oblivious to such a connection, but he seems to believe that the common opposition has already betrayed the social cause which I don’t subscribe to. His analysis or interpretation is too much of leftish or pseudo-leftist.

                             Read More

The Last 10 Days before the Vote and the Verdict

by Rajan Philips-December 27, 2014,

It was intended to be an astrologically choreographed presidential coronation,but it is turning out to be anything but, even as astrology is finally being put in its place by political uncertainty and a meteorological disaster. The unprecedented Christmas-New Year holiday season election, with an impending Papal visit to follow, is now being literally inundated by the country’s heaviest rainfall and the worst floods since 1957. Although the rains seem to be subsiding after the non-stop Christmas day pour, several districts in the Eastern, North Central, Central and Uva Provinces are still threatened by floods and/or landslides due to overflowing rivers, overrun dams, and unstable land forms. There have been calls for the postponement of the election, and weather conditions during the next few days will determine whether postponement would be necessary. One would only hope that the decision will be made independently by the Election Commissioner based solely on humanitarian and logistical considerations, and that he will not be influenced by political calculations based on astrological prescriptions.

The Last 10 Days Before the Vote and the Verdict by Thavam Ratna

Police allowing attacks on Opposition, watchdog charges

• Sunday, December 28, 2014

Police sat on their haunches while attacks on opposition activists occurred with impunity over the country, an election watchdog charged as the

Attack on the UNP headquarters, Sirikotha, in Kotte on Thursday

Elections Department said violence was on the rise in the presidential election contest between incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa and Mr. Maithripala Sirisena.

The Campaign for Free and fair Elections (CaFFE) Executive Director, Keerthi Tennekoon said there had been more complaints of violence in the period since polls were called than over the same time in the 2010 and 2005 elections.

“Police took no action to stop attacks on opposition activists in many parts of the country including Eppawala, Hambantota and Haputale. We urge law enforcement authorities to take necessary action to minimise election violence and the political authorities to allow policemen to carry out their duties,” Mr. Tennekoon said.

Attacks in Gampaha (above) and Matara (below)

The Elections Department said it had received as many as 603 complaints related to election violence to date of which 55 were of a serious nature and involved firearms.

Mr Tennekoon said police inaction resulted in the violent attack on the opposition United National Party (UNP) headquarters, Sirikotha, in Kotte on Thursday.

About 30 people were injured in the clash between a pro-government group and UNP supporters.

The Federation of National Organisations, an umbrella group covering 32 organisations, held the demonstration in front of Sirikotha. Each side blaming the other for the clashes that ensued.

Patriotic National Movement Secretary Wasantha Bandara said his members had been protesting peacefully against the alleged agreement signed by Mr. Sirisena and UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe. Both leaders say the document is a fabrication.

“While we were protesting outside [Sirikotha] a group of well-built persons came out and brutally attacked us. We told our supporters to run away but some were caught in bylanes and they threw stones at us. The police was helpless to take any action,” Mr. Bandara claimed.

UNP leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya said the attack had been planned and well organised and had not spontaneously occurred.

Pic by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk

“I was there myself on that day. The people who were brought there later told us that they were told that they are going to a protest somewhere else, not in front of the UNP head office.

“Some high-ranking officers from Minister Wimal Weerawansa’s party were leading them,” he said. Mr Weerawansa leads the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (National Freedom Front), part of President Rajapaksa’s ruling coalition.

Opposition leaders were also angered by the attack in Beruwela the following day.

The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) yesterday said supporters of President Rajapaksa’s United People Freedom Alliance (UPFA) had attacked Ms Kumaratunga and Ms Premachandra at about 10 p.m. after a rally for Mr. Sirisena.

CMEV said the police and the Special Task Force (STF) who were present during this incident had run for cover. A fight had ensued resulting in damage to property including Ms Bandaranaike’s vehicle.

CMEV was informed that the STF and police were able to disperse the crowd after some time.

Police said so far they had arrested 47 persons in connection with election violence following 89 complaints.

Police spokesperson Ajith Rohana said two police officers have been suspended following a shooting incident of an opposition rally in Kolonnawa.

He said the police officers who were on duty had failed to take action when a group of unidentified persons had arrived in a van had opened fire at the stage prepared for Mr. Sirisena.

The NDF campaign office in Batticaloa was attacked on Wednesday morning by a gang that threw petrol bombs at the office, setting it ablaze.

Friday Forum to EC: Deploy of 152 Riots Squads Under You and Your Instructions

27/12/2014 

Friday Forum has requested the Elections Commissioner to take the proposed  deployment of 152 riot squads and setting up of road blocks in the run up to the Elections , (as stated in the Daily Mirror newspaper of 24th December)  under  him. The Friday Forum statement says ‘that they be deployed under you and  and get their instructions from you, ‘as the common purpose seems to be to ensure a ‘peaceful election’.

Further the Friday Forum has made number of recommendations to the EC including public awareness on the electoral process and making complains mechanism of the EC trilingual and multimedia.

Full statement fellows:

Mr. Mahinda Deshapriya,

Commissioner of Elections,

Elections Department,

Rajagiriya.

Dear Sir,

The upcoming Presidential Election in January 2015 has, more than any other election before this, generated much interest and involvement amongst all Sri Lankans, as it is seen as an election that will decide on whether democratic governance with respect for law and order and independence of institutions will be restored or if the type of executive presidency we have seen in the recent past will continue. While we do understand the hard task that will be faced by your staff and all those responsible for conducting a free and fair election, the Friday Forum calls on you to do the following.

We call upon you to publish in all major newspapers, in all 3 languages, the relevant sections of the Presidential Elections Act, particularly Part V which lists out actions deemed to be election malpractices, so that the public could be made aware and report these actions to your Department, wherever they are carried out, with relevant proof.

Publicize through all forms of media, the documents that would be accepted as valid proof of identity for voting purposes so that it would not be left to the discretion of the Presiding Officer of any polling station.

We call upon you to give a comprehensive briefing of election procedures to all those involved in the conduct of the polls, especially those in charge of polling stations, polling agents, counting officers, Election monitors and observers.

The Friday Forum considers it essential that the role and mandate of the Police and others involved in providing security for the elections are explained to them, particularly the Officers In Charge of police stations island wide so that those breaking the law would be dealt with impartially. We note with concern the incidents already in the news, particularly the on-going saga in Wanduramba. It is also ominous to note the deployment of 152 riot squads and setting up of road blocks in the run up to the Elections to quell any unrest, as stated in the Daily Mirror newspaper of 24th December, quoting the Police Media Spokesman. We call upon you to insist that they be deployed under you and get their instructions from you, as the common purpose seems to be to ensure a ‘peaceful election’.

In order to report any election malpractice, we note that your website has a procedure to e-mail any complaint to you under the heading ‘Tell the Commissioner’. We ask that you ensure that e- mails can be sent in all 3 languages together with photos, video clips and documents in formats commonly used in mobile phones and cameras. This account will also have to be manned 24/7 in order that your staff alert you of incidents being reported by the public.

We call upon you to also publicize widely a hotline number that is manned 24/7, so that people from all over can phone in and report incidents as they unfold on election day. The assistance of PAFFREL, CaFFE and other organizations committed to the conducting of fair elections could be sought for this purpose.

The 2013 Registered electors list according to Polling Divisions is up on your website. It would be good if the 2014 list is put up prior to the Elections as it must be finalized by now.

The Nation is looking to you as the supreme authority constitutionally empowered to safeguard the electoral process in our land at this crucial election, and the Friday Forum urges you to use all the authority vested in your office to ensure this.

Yours Sincerely,

Jayantha Dhanapala

Professor Savitri Goonesekere

Shanthi Dias

On behalf of The Friday Forum

Reading Election Manifestos

By Sumanasiri Liyanage -December 27, 2014

Sumanasiri Liyanage

Tariq Ali, once informed us that democracy will perish even before capitalism reaches its end. Does it imply a new phase of capitalism with the absence of democracy? In a way it is not a novel phenomenon since in its short history, not going beyond 300 years, capitalism and democracy have not always co-existed. Modern democracy was invented under capitalism, but it has not been an outcome of capitalism. It has been an outcome of multiple struggles waged by different social layers of society invariably against capitalism. Sri Lanka has witnessed a strong tendency towards authoritarianism since the advent of a constitution with executive presidential system as its constitutional architecture and neoliberalism as its economic framework. While the presidential system facilitated the introduction of neoliberalism the latter in its turn reinforced the executive presidential system. This has made it easier us to imagine a life without democracy but not a life without capitalism. Nonetheless, once again, democracy has become a key issue in the forthcoming presidential election in Sri Lanka ambiguity prevails over what democracy really means notwithstanding.

The forces that have been mobilized against the incumbent president have rightly raised the issue of democracy as a central issue facing the country today. Democracy means different things for different people, for different social groups. However, almost all the oppositional forces, except Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) had come to a consensus that in order to reestablish democracy in Sri Lanka one of the crucial prerequisite is the abolition of the executive presidential system. It was explicitly states what is needed is to abolish it and replace it with a different system. There was a debate on the alternative system but the majority of the opposition wanted to go back to the Parliamentary system. Will the democratic aspirations of the people fulfil after the presidential election? Let us review the election manifestos of the candidates. At the moment, I have three manifestos with me. I will focus first on the Manifestos of Candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR) and candidate Maithripala Sirisena (MS). It is not uncommon to have some degree of rhetoric in election manifesto. Figure 1 summarizes proposals in two manifestos on the issue on constitutional change. ( Click here to read MS manifesto and here to MR manifesto)Read More

The present regime is not just anti-Tamil, it is anti-people. - Prof. Paul Newman,

 Saturday, 27 December 2014 

Dr. Paul Newman is a Professor of Human Rights at the University of Bangalore, India. He is one of very active intellectual form India, Who are very concerning about Tamil Nation Issue in Sri Lanka. He was express his views about Sri Lanka's  Presidential Election in 2015.  

Q - Sri Lanka presidential election is around the corner, in your opinion how important is this election to Tamil people in the Island?

The Tamils have suffered since the independence of the erstwhile Ceylon, we must not forget how the Tamils living since 1824 were disenfranchised. They have virtually lost any hope in the south led politics of Sri Lanka as they have been failed time and again in finding a just political solution. The present regime is not just anti-Tamil, it is anti-people. More than any other previous regimes this regime has caused the most damage to the Tamils by conducting a well-planned Genocide on the Tamils, which the Tamils cannot forgive and forget. There is not a single Tamil family in the North and East that has not been affected by this Genocide. It is in this background, that this election will be a decisive factor in determining the political future of the Tamils.

Some Tamil groups in Sri Lanka and abroad wants Tamils to boycott the election? Will such strategy be helpful for Tamil struggle for justice and equality?

The Tamils constitute 15% of the electorate and can be the most decisive factor. Boycotting the elections will send wrong signals to many in the International Community who feel a regime change will reduce the miseries of the Tamils. Having said that one must also understand the frustrations of the Tamils. The Tamils are not even allowed to mourn their dead, every Tamil village is a virtual army camp, the Tamil women are perceived as the property of the soldiers, no meaningful development or reconciliation has taken place. The boycott of the 2005 elections proved to be counterproductive as the man who came to power virtually eliminated the Tamil existence in the island. Tamilnadu is a good example of this kind of a situation. In the 2011 elections, the people had to decide between the dynastically corrupt regime of M.Karunanidhi against Jayalalithaa, whose previous rule too had witnessed unprecedented levels of corruption. The people chose the lesser evil as they felt Jayalalithaa as a single person was bearable than the dynastically corrupt M.Karunanidhi.

Joint opposition’s main campaign focus seems to be on South, other than promises on governance and rule of law; there are no specific promises to address the Ethnic question? How do you look at it?

The main opponent of MR was a person who had approved all the policies of MR and there would not be a major shift in the policy with regard to the Tamils, which makes the Tamils to think on different lines and the purpose of this election which is not going to serve their polity. No meaningful development can dawn the island unless there is democracy enjoyed by all sections of the society. You may remember every country in Asia looked upto Sri Lanka to be a model till the outbreak of ethnic violence. The root causes for the ethnic conflict has to be addressed for bringing about any meaningful economic development. If you are a real leader you must be the leader of all the people not just the majority ethnic group.

Tamil politics in the Island has taken drive towards isolationism, cutting it away from the national political issues, is this right direction?

Tamils were never considered to be part of the national political discourse, the isolationism was not started by the Tamil leaders but by the Sinhala leadership cutting across party lines, treated the Tamils as aliens. Unless the Sinhala politicians accept the Right to Self Determination of the Tamils it would be unfair to expect the Tamils to join the mainstream national politics. It is a sad fact that the Sinhala politicians too with the exception of people like Comrade Siritunga Jayasurya and Dr.Wickramabahu Karunarathne have never tried to heal the wounds of the Tamils. They know that if they try to win the hearts of the Tamils, there would a backlash amidst the Sinhalese,they have been using the Fascist and Nazi ideology of appeasing the majoritarian community by pointing the minorities as villains in the process of nation building. Once these anomalies are corrected, I am sure the Tamils will join the mainstream as a healthy practice.

Finally what do you expect in both scenarios of Rajapaksa or Sirisena winning?

If MR wins, it would be a disaster to the entire country which I feel would move towards a totalitarian dictatorship. He would project to the outer world that it is a referendum against the UN initiated OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL). The Sinhalese need to understand that though the war was declared over in May 2009, the budget has witnessed a dramatic increase in defense spending with an unprecedented rise of 25% on an average annually though Sri Lanka does not have any external enemies. This is because of the kickbacks the ruling class gets as a result of the arms deals. On the other hand MS will be no different as he was in the same camp till a month ago. The only positive would be the elimination of the family rule and return of governance and establishment of the rule of law.

Interview By - Krishan Rajapakshe

Before the Elections- 1

By Izeth Hussain -December 26, 2014, 5:42 pm 

I started writing political articles soon after I left Government Service in 1989. I am struck by the similarities and contrasts in our politics during the periods 1977 to 1989 and 2009 to 2014, and it occurs to me that it might be useful to draw the parallels in an article. 1977 witnessed the entry of the market oriented economy in contrast to the State-centric one which had ruined the Sri Lankan economy from 1956 to 1977. The success of that market economy, with all its drawbacks, was probably the major reason why the UNP managed to cling on to power for seventeen years, though dubious means were employed. The present Government has shown in the perception of many Sri Lankans an impressive dynamism in its economic performance. They believe that that could turn out to be an important reason for President Rajapaksa winning the forthcoming elections.

Before the Elections- 1 by Thavam Ratna

These Men Do Not Deserve Public Office

| by Helasingha Bandara

( December 27, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) If the opposition can get Rosy Senanayake, Chandrika Kumaranathunge, Hirunika Premachandra and perhaps Susanthika Jayasinghe on one stage to talk about their personal grievances against some of the powerful politicians of this government, they can launch a genuine but serious attack on some of the perverts who are protected by Mahinda Rajapaksha.

Perverts

S.B. Dissanayake

These Men Do Not Deserve Public Office by Thavam Ratna

The Doctrines Of Necessity And The End Justifying The Means

By R.M.B Senanayake -December 26, 2014

R.M.B. Senanayake

The Opposition has leveled various allegations of corruption and financial irregularities against the President, The President has not responded to them but instead at the recent Momentum Forum argued that he should be judged only by results- the results of the development activity he engaged in. He also added that corruption was a necessary part of the process of development. Do we accept this view?

Should the individual be sacrificed for the good of the society?

This view holds that for the good of the society the individual’s happiness must be sacrificed. But this is the view of the Fascists and the Communists who believed that the interests of the State are above that of the individuals who compose it. This is the collectivist myth. The State is only the instrument of the people to protect the individual from any violence or depredations imposed by other individuals. The State is required only to maintain order and peace between the individuals in a society; since the alternative is to allow all individuals to use force to settle their disputes which would lead to chaos. The establishment of the State by giving it the monopoly of the use of force, is man’s prudent innovation to maintain peace and order among human beings. The State did not exist before the individuals that comprise it. So there can be no interests of the State except the interests of the individuals that compose it. The same applies to society. We could say that the interests of the society are the interests of the individuals who form it. There is of course an issue when the interests of individuals differ and minority versus majority emerge.Read More

Elections commissioner in deep trouble : to be made a victim of a sudden accident and MaRa stooge to replace him

(Lanka-e-News-27.Dec.2014, 11.30PM) The Elections Commissioner’s straight forward decisions and actions during the last several days to hold a free and fair election amidst tremendous pressures brought to bear on him, has infuriated the Rajapakse regime so much so that it has decided to eliminate the present commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya from that position and replace him with Amaradasa , the deputy elections commissioner who is a notorious MaRa stooge and from his village ,so that the upcoming elections can be conducted the way to suit Medamulana MaRa’s machinations , with Amaradasa in control of the elections activities.

This decision was taken by the Rajapakses during the secret discussions at Temple Trees yesterday(26) night. At this discussion Medamulana MaRa has discussed three issues which have been the cause of annoyance to him :

One – The Elections commissioner preventing copies of a book written about Mahinda Rajapakse by the army at State expense being sent by post yesterday(26) to the members of the forces .

Two – The removal of the largest cutout in Sri Lanka of Mahinda Rajapakse erected by Sarana Gunawardena at Attanagalla, with the intervention of Mahinda Deshapriya.

Three – The release of election results that were hitherto carried out by the government information department being taken over by elections commission secretariat . The Commissioner was prompted to take this decision because so far the government information department has been engaging blatantly in Mahinda Rajapakse’s election propaganda. On the orders of the elections commissioner, a video news of the official website which was clearly a sordid pro Rajapakse news video footage , was withdrawn. In addition , Harindranath Chandrasiri , a Rajapakse stooge who was responsible for this was also suspended from service .

Disappointed and desperate MaRa at yesterday’s discussion stated, since the army commander cannot even post a letter , the members of the army are thinking how can they provide security to the Rajapakses, and this has therefore become an impediment to the power and influence of Rajapakses. Hence , it was decided Deshapriya should be made a victim of a sudden accident and pushed aside . Since Deshapriya is an eating and drinking man , this would be no difficult task , it was revealed.

In these deadly and dangerous circumstances which are affecting the whole country , the people must deem it is for them to shoulder the responsibility to safeguard the elections commissioner during the coming days, if they are hoping for a fair and free election.

May we point out as Mahinda Rajapakse’s chances of winning the upcoming elections is obviously becoming increasingly bleak as the election is getting closer, so is his desperation which is most acute and abysmal . It seems , he is even prepared to practice all the cardinal sins on earth shamelessly and openly , come what may , like a drowning man trying to hold on to even a broken reed in his hopelessness.

CBK, Hirunika attacked with stones

CBK, Hirunika attacked with stones

By Menaka Indrakumar-2014-12-28

Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga's security personnel have lodged a complaint with the police over a stone attack, targeting United People's Front Alliance (UPFA) defector Hirunika Premachandra and Kumaratunga, on a house at Beruwala on Friday.
Premachandra's coordinator said, when the two politicians were attending a dinner at a Pradeshiya Sabha MP's house, some persons had thrown stones damaging Kumaratunga's vehicle and hooted at them till they left the area.

"The vehicles of Premachandra and Kumaratunga, who were travelling to the PS MP's residence, were attacked by an ardent supporter of the UPFA and his followers. They kept on banging at the gate, and shouting and later stones were thrown in our direction. The Police and Special Task Force were there, yet there was no support from them. The personal security of the two politicians had intervened in the matter," the party coordinator said.

Meanwhile, Police Spokesperson SSP Ajith Rohana stated that the political rally in Beruwala was held under police protection. However, that incident had occurred when Premachandra and Kumaratunga attended a dinner. The police had been informed before they went there for dinner. He added that the police only arrived at the scene later. "We are conducting further investigations into the attack," the SSP claimed.

STF sent to Beruwala after clash

December 27, 2014 07:32

The police Special Task Force (STF) has been deployed to Beruwala following a clash last night involving the opposition and Government supporters.

The clash had taken place after an opposition rally held in Beruwala in support of common opposition Presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

Police spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said that the clash took place when those who attended the rally had met at the house of an opposition politician in the area.

The opposition claimed that Government supporters arrived at the location and attacked the vehicles of opposition members, including that of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who were at the house.

The Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE), a local election monitoring group, said that the attack had taken place when Kumaratunga and Provincial Council member Hirunika Premachandra had gone to the house for dinner after the rally.

According to CaFFE at least 4 vehicles were damaged in the incident while part of the house of the opposition politician in the area was also damaged.

CaFFE quoted Premachandra as saying a mob had surrounded the house when she and Kumarathunga were inside and then attacked the house with stones.

SSP Ajith Rohana said that an ensuing clash had left three people injured. He said that the STF was sent to the area to ensure further clashes do not occur.

He also said that a special police investigation has been launched into the incident. (Colombo Gazette)

Maithri demands Rs. 2.5 b from Tissa over bogus document

 December 27, 2014

Common Opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena has demanded Rs. 2.5 billion from Health Minister and former UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake for presenting a forged document to the media.
In a letter of demand sent through his legal counsel Sandun S.K. Gamage, Sirisena said that the forged document had tarnished his image as a responsible politician who held a number of high posts as a Minister since 1989, and therefore he has sent the letter of demand.
The letter of demand says that Sirisena had never signed an agreement with UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on 1 November or any other day.
Sirisena said he has learnt that there are moves to print and distribute the bogus letter among the public and has instructed his legal team to take legal action against those who create, print and distribute the forged document.