Post-election violence in Uva has resulted in a tense situation in the area following the major setback suffered by the ruling party at the Provincial polls, to which has included heavy attacks on several oposition party members and their properties.
The most recent attack took place yesterday near the Haliela Police station where UNP Chief Ministerial candidate Harin Fernando who bagged the highest number of preferential votes in the election, was attakced by a mob of UPFA supporters.
After the poll results of Moneragala were released – the district where the highest number of pre-election violence was reported – several UNP and JVP supporters, their properties and party offices have been attacked, driving some of the opposition members to flee their homes in fear.
The most recent attack took place yesterday near the Haliela Police station where UNP Chief Ministerial candidate Harin Fernando who bagged the highest number of preferential votes in the election, was attakced by a mob of UPFA supporters. Fernando had visited the area yesterday to look at some of the cutouts and posters of UNP that had been damaged by UPFA supporters.
Another UNP candidate who performed well at the elections – Roy Kalinga, who bagged the 6th highest number of preferential votes in the Moneragala district was attacked at about 1 am yesterday. When he received news of a possible attack on him, Kalinga had fled to a hiding place but the thugs had followed him in a white defender jeep and attacked his head with a club. He is said to be in critical condition and is presently receiving treatment at the Moneragala hospital.
Meanwhile, Moneragala JVP candidate Anura Kumara Wickramasinghe’s home has been attacked last morning and it has been damaged heavily.
Moneragala JVP candidate Palliyaguruge Wijesiri who has been a continuous target of attacks for the mobs of UPFA supporters has been victimized for the fifth time last night. Meanwhile, the Dambagalle office of the JVP had also been attacked by ruling party supporters.
According to CaFFE the heaviest election related violence during the pre-poll period was recorded from the Haputale electoral zone of the Badulla district where JVP election center representative Sunil Shantha was attacked by a group of thugs and is currently receiving treatment at the Diyatalawa hospital.
Moreover, the Haldummulla UPFA Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Danaratne has stabbed local councilor Nimal Karunarathe who has been hospitalized. The attacker has also been threatening and propagating violence in several areas including an attack on several JVP supporters since the conclusion of the election.
As a result of the widespread violence against opposition supporters in the province, former Badulla district Provincial Councillor Sudath Balagalle had fled his home with his family. Despite requests made by JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake to provide him with security, their safety has not been assured by law enforcement authorities so far.
Park / September 23, 2014
At least when LTTE was there, Sinhalese did not attack Sinhalese. It begs to question, was LTTE the gate keepers of the Government and the law and order, other than the atrocities they themselves committed?
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Paul / September 23, 2014
This is not correct. Pre and post-election violence has been a common phenomenon for decades.
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Native Vedda / September 23, 2014
Paul
“This is not correct. Pre and post-election violence has been a common phenomenon for decades.”
If it is a good thing, lets have more of it.
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Paul / September 23, 2014
I didn’t say it was good did I? I just corrected a factual error, for which 10 amnesiacs give thumbs down.
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Native Vedda / September 24, 2014
Paul
“I didn’t say it was good did I?”
What did you really mean?
The people deserve far better quality of life than that they had in the past. People periodically elect government hoping that their quality of would improve in the future with new government in power.
Where have you demanded the present government to stop this madness and improve people’s life. Almost all your comments justify what this government does.
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Thiru / September 23, 2014
7000 BBS bkikkus are getting ready to enter the fray on 28 September in Colombo: They may be planning to let loose the next attack!
Thugistan at work, I suppose.
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Upul / September 23, 2014
I guess this is the time to punish those who have done well!! Traditional Sri Lanka style of politics.
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Amarasiri / September 23, 2014
Upul
“I guess this is the time to punish those who have done well!! Traditional Sri Lanka style of politics.”
Bad Para-Raja-Pakas Sports.
They do not know how to lose with dignity, because they have no dignity..
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Gaje / September 23, 2014
Isn’t there adequate photographic, video and other documented evidence to take them to courts? In spite of MaRa having a Kekille type of courts, and plenty of court jesters/andares, it is crucial to document all these in courts and could be used against these thugs at some point.
After all MaRa can buy only some, there may be others who are silent at the moment or even visually pro MaRa who could change the stance at some point as Shirani B did!!
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Leon / September 23, 2014
Instead of running away the people who were attacked should have their own squad to beat these hoodlums. That’s the only way out. In any case the police will turn a blind eye.The UNP and the other parties should have their own thugs, which is not difficult to form. Beat violence with violence, that’s the only language, these thugs understand.
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mechanic / September 23, 2014
Badulla has been a UNP bastian right through our election history. In fact, the UNP has always won Badulla. The UNP lost Badulla for the first time in 2009/10 elections. Then again 2009/10 elections are no ordinary elections for they were held aftermath winning or about to win the the war against terrorists. At that time people voted for Rajapakse and his appointees enmasse. And that results will never be repeated by any party at any election ever in Sri Lanka.
UNP got 44.7% and UPFA’s 47.3% this time in Badulla means, UNP lost. Only silly people would compare reducing the loosing margins to biggest ever loss as a gain. It’s a self satisfying ego. Only a stupid would say Harin has set a winning trend for UNP. Its more like the UNP has become the true opposition. Or, it has shown that it stand on its own feet.
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Native Vedda / September 23, 2014
mechanic
Is this the crew from Banda’s rent a mob agency?
In this picture I can see your hand not your face.
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Native Vedda / September 23, 2014
mechanic
Recently Banda transformed himself from a Wahabi scholar to an expert on polling. Being his sidekick you to have become a great analyst on election history.
Congratulations.
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / September 23, 2014
mechanic;
you have to tighten your loose nuts;
and ask them the handler/ rulers to increase your grease and oil level also.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / September 23, 2014
The UNP should challenge the UVA election results in court and request for a repoll, not so much expecting JUSTICE, but to expose the flagrant violation of all democratic, ethical and legal constriants, by the UPFA. The imptency of the Elections Commisioner and the police; the connivance of the Supreme Court; and the misuse of public services and their resources, were nauseating. The post-election violence proves the UPFA, in effect the government, is demonstrating the consequences of campaigning and winning against it. A warning for the future!
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Thiru / September 23, 2014
Man,
Be wise, are there any independent courts in Sri Lanka?
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punchinilame / September 24, 2014
The importance here is to reveal and record the UVA electioneering, by
all the Institutes involved, although we know Mohan Peiris verdict.
Will the UNP do it?
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Thrishantha / September 23, 2014
Just look at the history of Rajapakses. They are notorious thugs. Look at the Beliatta case. Then why do we expect anything better when thugs rule the country? I don’t know the solution if the police is not doing anything here. There can be dangerous counter action. All what I can suggest is to make normal people know about these attacks and see if they condemn. If they also approve these violence, we cannot avoid kamma.
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Seelawathie Punchihamy / September 24, 2014
Thrishantha, you added all what I wanted to add.
Rajapakshes are born minnimruwos – they have proved it alone during last few years. Just look at the manner that Harin fernando and some UNPers JVPers have been physically attached today in post election days. As you said if people – majority of the country dont mind any violence moves of Rajas, nothing can be done. It is not Karma but self made curse by folks themselves.
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MRCURSE / September 24, 2014
Not long ago, how the UNP young visiting MPs were attacked by Rajapakshe violent goons at Hambantota was not even investigated by them. Naduth ewunge baduth ewunge what my elderly parents murmered me on the phone. I m FED up of Rajapakshes, I appeal all gods to take on this.
It is like a cancer that is infiltrated to every cornner of the body, Rajapakshes are their goons have consolidated their power. No right thinking can open their mouth today.
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Ansar / September 23, 2014
Typical MARA/GORA syndrome passed on to their henchmen and supporters. These MURDEROUS CLANS KNOW NOTHING BUT THUGGERY. If this is the scenario after a scrape through bribed and intimidated victory in a provincial council election.Just imagine the plight if MURDEROUS MARA loses in a presidential election.
He and his MURDEROUS BROTHER THE GOAT, will unleash the whole might of the ARMED FORCES on the people, regardless of whether they are Tamils,Muslims or Sinhalese.
This I realised at the time of total annihilation of the Tamils in the last stages of war, when most people were celebrating with Kiri Bath.
Sadly most did not agree with me when I argued on these lines those days, now they have come to their senses. At least I feel vindicated, for my stand point and understanding MARA for his true qualities.
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Vibhushana / September 23, 2014
Its Dilan Perera MP behind the violence. Anyone want to complain write to the guy directly here. Furthermore, don’t vote for him again.
http://www.dilanperera.com/
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Robert.R / September 23, 2014
where is your EVIDENCE?
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Vibhushana / September 23, 2014
Harin Fernando is a witness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVWmoIVFgyk.
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ajith / September 23, 2014
Violence is a characteristic feature of Mother Lanka who carry a sword to kill or eliminate any one who ask for justice.
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Senthil / September 23, 2014
I think we have to dup. tamil films like “Indian” and “Anniyan” in singhala and show them to ordinary singhalese people free of charge.
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Thalaivar / September 23, 2014
So was Harin injured?
NO!
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justice / September 23, 2014
The ‘official thuggery’ a.k.a PTA is being held in reserve.
If anyone tries to go to court,he will be arrested by Gota’s goons under the PTA and held incommunicado – like Jeyakumary Balendran and daughter who are yet to be produced in courts.
Now people know the difference between the ‘official thuggery’ known as PTA and the ‘common thuggery’ unleashed at this election by the government.
I wonder what MaRa will tell the UN General Assembly about his brand of democracy.
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Kakka / September 24, 2014
People are euphoric that HARIN travelled in a three wheeler, after his victory. ” it is a big strength that he chose our mode of transport and not a BMW” said our cleaning guy!
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