Poll violence claims life of Sri Lanka governing party supporter
The following is full text of media Communiqué No 13, issued by Centre from Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) on Jan 16, 2010:
According to North Western Provincial Councilor Mr. Sanath Nishantha Perera (UPFA), at 3.50pm, UNP supporters had shot at UPFA supporters in front of the UNP party office located in front of the Minnas Private Hospital, Madurankuliya, Puttalam District, resulting in the death of UPFA supporter Mr. Saman Kumara of Thonigala, Anamaduwa.
According to the Spokesperson of the hospital, 4 other persons had been admitted to the Puttalam Base Hospital of sustained injuries during the shooting, and 3 of them have been transferred to the Kurunegala Hospital. According Director of the Kurunegala Hospital Dr. S. Rajamanthri, the 3 injured persons are not in serious condition. Two of the victims had suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and neck. They had received emergency treatment from the Puttalam Hospital prior to transfer.
According to Deputy Minister Fisheries Mr. Neomal Perera, Puttalam Pradeshiya Sabha member Mr. R.M. Anjana Sandaruwan and his supporters had opened fire from within the home of Mr. Sandaruwan, on UPFA supporters that were returning from President Rajapakse’s rally held in Madurankuliya earlier today.
According to UNP Member of Parliament Mr. Palitha Range Bandara, he had received information that the UPFA supporters that were shot at, had attacked the UNP party office, and then proceeded to set fire to a hotel that belonged to Mr. Sandaruwan, at which point UNP supporters had opened fire on the UPFA attackers. He added that Mr. Sandaruwan was away from his residence, attending a meeting at the time.
However, Deputy Minister Neomal Perera, while admitting that the burning of the hotel had taken place, he states that it took place after the shooting, by UPFA supporters who were angered by the shooting.
When contacted, SI Herath of the Mundalama Police told CMEV that no one has been arrested with regard to this incident thus far. He also stated that details of the incident remain unclear at present.
CMEV attempted on several occasions to get in touch with Mr. Sandaruwan to obtain a statement regarding the incident, but he did not answer the phone.
