As a person or an organization interested in Ssri Lankan affairs, you may already know what happened in the recent Provincial Council Election in Sri Lanka. (If not please visit our REDPOWER latest edition.) Now the govt of Sri Lanka is getting ready for another election for five Provinces, Western, Central, North Central, Uwa and Sabaragamuwa. But the recent dynamics of Sri Lankan politics did not show any optimism towards the forthcoming elections. So as a democratic political organization which work for the well being of our people, it is our duty to prevent the same experience from repeating at other five provinces.

We as People's Liberation Front (JVP) Sri Lanka, inform you about the following political-violence-incidents faced by the members of our party. We do not see that these incidents will decrease by the time of forthcoming election in the five Provinces. However, it is our request to you to keep on alert the international community about this situation and to force the People's Alliance (PA) govt to take measures to stop their political thugs from creating bloodbath in our country. And it should be stressed that our party or the supporters of JVP have not engaged in violence activities whatsoever. As a political organization, which respect the democratic system we do not believe that is the method of winning the vote of our people.

Of course we do not believe that the requests may do any good but we have no other choice as a party which has faced worst suppression by both United National Party (UNP) and People's Alliance Govts in history.

We believe that it is also your duty to take measures possible to stop this type of political violence at your all cost.

HERE ARE THE REPORTED INCIDENTS:

 DATE: 13th of February 1999

 TIME: 1.30AM

 LOCATION: North Central Province- Hiripitiya, Galnewa.

 INCIDENT:

The supporters of PA chairman to the Galnewa Local Council assaulted JVP candidate K.A.Seneviratne and his supporters. One of the victims was abducted, severely assaulted and left by the road. He is admitted to Galnewa Hospital.

 COMPLAINT MADE: Galnewa Police Station -MOIB 120/97 & MOIB 122/98

 DATE: 24th of February 1999

 TIME: 11.50PM

 LOCATION: Uwa Province- Bandarawela

 INCIDENT:

JVP supporters, Ranaweer Silva, Roshan de Silva and Jagath Ananda, when they were pasting propaganda posters, were assaulted by the supporters of Deputy Minister Samaraweera Weerawanni.

VEHICLE USED BY ATTACKERS: 58-3685 Ash colours double cab

COMPLAINT MADE: Bandarawela Police Station EBO 103/0025

 Incident- 03

 DATE: 25th of February 1999

 TIME: 10.45PM

 LOCATION: North Central Province- Kebithigollewa. 

INCIDENT:

The PA thugs destroy Kebithigollewa Election (Propaganda) Office of JVP. K. Senanayake chairman of Kebithigollewa Local Council(PA), Kapilaratne member of Local Council and Newton Silva the deputy director (engineering) of Rajarata Bus Company were leading the mob.

 VEHICLE USED BY ATTACKERS: 252-6531 double cab, the official vehicle of Kebithigollewa Local Council

 COMPLAINT MADE: Kebithigollewa Police Station

 DATE: 25th of February 1999

 TIME: 2.00AM

 LOCATION: Western Province- Indibedda, Moratuwa.

 INCIDENT:

Two candidates of JVP Menard Pieris and Shanthilal Fernando, who pasted propaganda posters, were assaulted by PA mob. PA members Susan Fernando, Ranjith Samuel, of Moratuwa Municipal Council, Chief incumbent of Gangarama Temple, Moratuwa, were with the attackers. One of the victims was admitted to Lunawa Hospital.

 COMPLAINT MADE: Moratuwa Police Station - EIB 01/02

 DATE: 25th of February 1999

 TIME: 3.25PM

 LOCATION: Western Province- Kandy road, Peliyagoda

 INCIDENT:

Jinadasa Nandasena, PA Member of Parliament with his supporters have threatened the JVP members and destroyed a part of JVP propaganda office at Peliyagoda. MP has pointed a 9mm revolver when he threatened to JVP comrades.

 VEHICLE USED BY ATTACKERS: Two vans painted white, regd 32-0704 and 32-2403

 COMPLAINT MADE: Peliyagoda Police Station- Election Complains 01/04

 DATE: 25th of February 1999

 LOCATION: Western Province- Ganemulla

 INCIDENT:

PA member, Gampaha district PA candidate Edward Silva's brother together with fifteen supporters participated in this attack, assaulted a group of JVP members who were pasting posters in Ganemulla area.

 COMPLAINT MADE: Kadawatha Police Station - CIB 01/02

 Incident- 07

 DATE: 26th of February 1999

 TIME: 11.45 PM

 LOCATION: Western Province- Kadawatha Delgoda road / Gonahena

 INCIDENT:

PA supporters assaulted three comrades who were pasting propaganda posters. Attackers are identified as Chooti, Priyantha, Bandu and Thushara. Chooti is the brother of a secirity officer to the PA govt Deputy Minister Athula Nimalasiri Jayasinghe. They were seen painting PA symbol and candidate number of Malini Jayasinghe sister of the deputy minister, on the road before the attack.

 VEHICLE USED BY ATTACKERS: A jeep regd. 31-3393

 COMPLAINT MADE: Kadawatha Police Station - EIB 20/19

 DATE: 26th of February 1999

 LOCATION: Western Province- Nittambuwa

 INCIDENT:

Nittambuwa People's Liberation Front's election office was attacked by an unidentified group.

COMPLAINT MADE: Nittambuwa Police Station - EIB 01/02

 DATE: 27th of February 1999

 LOCATION: Western Province- Kadawatha police station

 INCIDENT:

A statement was taken from the PA candidate Malini Nimalasiri Jayasinghe at Kadawatha Police related to the complaint made by the JVP under the number EIB 20/19. On that occasion PA candidate Malini threatened the JVP Local Councillor Diyamantha Alabadaarachchi within the Kadawatha Police premises.

 COMPLAINT MADE: Kadawatha Police Station - CIB 89/128

DATE: 03rd of March 1999

TIME: 10.00 PM

LOCATION: Western Province- Katubedda, Moratuwa

INCIDENT:

PA candidate, member of Moratuwa Municipal Council Susan Fernando has threatened the JVP representatives of Postal Vote Centre. The PA councillor has distributed his propaganda cards. Then as a result of JVP representative's protest, councillor has threatened saying "We'll meet outside!" and left the place.

COMPLAINT MADE: Moratuwa Police Station - EIB 14/10

 DATE: 06th of March 1999

 TIME: 12.00 PM

 LOCATION: Central Province- Pallepola, Dambulla.

 INCIDENT:

PA supporters attacked two JVPers, D.A. Kanaheraarachchi and Amila Herath. C.B. Herath, PA candidate for Matale district was leading the mob. They have taken the two victims into the vehicle and taken them to Herath's resident where they were severely beaten.

 VEHICLE USED BY ATTACKERS: 251-8921 Dolphin van

 COMPLAINT MADE: Mahawela Police Station - CIB 01/06

 DATE: 06th of March 1999

 LOCATION: Central Province- Pallepola, Mahawela

 INCIDENT:

Matale district PA candidate C.B. Herath and his supporters assaulted two members of JVP, while pasting posters in Pallepola, Dambulla. The JVPers, D.S. Kanahera and P.G. Amila were abducted and taken to C.B. Herath's house where they were severely beaten.

VEHICLE USED BY THE ATTACKERS:251- 8921

 COMPLAINT MADE: Mahawela Police Station CIB 01/06

 DATE: 07th of March 1999

 TIME: 10.45 AM

 LOCATION: Central Province- Kurunduwatte, Nawalapitiya

 INCIDENT:

Two JVP candidates of Kandy district Upul Nishantha and Anil Premalal Bandara were assaulted by the chairman (PA) of the Ganga Ihala Korale Local Council and his supporters. The chairman Ananda Aluthgamage is the brother of PA candidate Mahindananda Aluthgamage. Comrade Upul Nishantha, having injured seirously was admitted to Gampola Hospital.

 VEHICLE USED BY ATTACKERS: 48-8176

 COMPLAINT MADE: Gampola Police Station - IEB 119/28

 DATE: 08th of March 1999

 TIME: 3.00 AM

 LOCATION: Uwa Province- Hali Ela Town

 INCIDENT:

B.B Rathnayake candidate of PA for Badulla district, son of Hema Ratnayake PA minister of women's affairs has with his supporters destroyed a part of the Haliela election propagand office. They have pasted PA posters in the JVP office too.

 VEHICLE USED BY ATTACKERS: 27-5942 Elf truck and a Dolphin van the numberplate covered.

 COMPLAINT MADE: Badulla Police Station - EIB 32/39

 DATE: 13th of March 1999

 TIME: 1.00am

 LOCATION: Western Province- Minuwangoda Bridge

 INCIDENT:

PA politician and his supporters assaulted seven comrades, who were pasting propaganda posters. Attackers are identified as Lihiniya Kumara, PA Chairman of Minuwangoda Local Council and other 15 of his henchmen.

Due to this attack, Sunil Jayaratne, Sirilal Balasooriya and Buddhika got severe injuries and admitted to the Minuwangoda hospital. PA gang took away cutouts, posters and the keys of JVP vehicle with them.

 COMPLAINT MADE: Minuwangoda Police Station - EIB 06/19

 DATE: 15th of March 1999

 TIME: 4.30 PM

 LOCATION: Central Province- Passara town

 INCIDENT:

S. Sumanadasa, a JVP activist was assaulted by Thushara a UNP supporter. Due to severe injuries on the head, victim was admitted to Emergency Care Unit of Badulla hospital.

VEHICLE USED BY THE ATTACKERS:251- 8921

 COMPLAINT MADE: Passara Police Station

 DATE: 15th of March 1999

 LOCATION: Central Province- Dawulagala

 INCIDENT:

When JVPers finished there poster campaign aiming the GeliOya rally, Kandy district PA candidate Chminda Kuruppuarachchi and his supporters have arrived by a jeep. They blocked the road and assaulted the JVPers danaging them and their vehicle. Then they have gone to JVP candidate Sunil Wickramasinghe's residence and threatened to kill him.

VEHICLE USED BY THE ATTACKERS:251- 8921

 COMPLAINT MADE: Dawulagala Police Station EIB 207/01

 DATE: 15th of March 1999

 TIME: 11.45 PM

 LOCATION: Western Province- Panadura Town

 INCIDENT:

SeveralJVPers were pasting propaganda posters when several PA supporters including candidate, Upendrage and PA Local Councillor Bandusiri whowere drunken at that time assaulted them. They have removed the posters pasted by the JVPers.

 COMPLAINT MADE: Panadura Police Station - EIB 12/22

 DATE: 15th of March 1999

 TIME: 11.45 PM

 LOCATION: Western Province- Gampaha Town

 INCIDENT:

Gampaha district leader candidate of JVP, H.M.Vijitha Herath, candidates Gamini Ratnayake, Diyamantha Alabadaarachchi and about 40 other members were constructing a stage for the rally to be held on that day afternoon at Gampaha town. About 50 PA supporters led by PA Provincial Council candidate Sarana Gunawardane attacked the JVPers. The mob was heavily armed with guns, pistols, knives, ironbars etc. They have destroyed the unfinished stage and removed the cutouts. They have stolen a video camera worth about 100thousand rupees.

 VEHICLES USED BY ATTACKERS: A jeep regd. 31-1537, Hiace van- 58-1473, Van-57-0543, athreewheeler - 200- 16665 and two other unregistered lorries

 COMPLAINT MADE: Gampaha Police Station - EIB 318/70, EIB 321/72, EIB 323/76

 DATE: 16th of March 1999

 LOCATION: Uwa Province- Akiriyankumbura.

 INCIDENT:

JVP members who werepasting posters at Chenkaladi Rd were threatened to kill by UNP member Dingiribanda resident in Aralupitiya. UNP thug has come threatening the JVPers to not to engage in JVP activities, carrying a sword with him.

VEHICLE USED BY THE ATTACKERS:251- 8921

 COMPLAINT MADE: Mahiyangana Police Station EIB 30/40

 DATE: 17th of March 1999

 LOCATION: North Central Province- Andiyagala, Palayala

 INCIDENT:

PA supporters assault two JVPers, who were pasting propaganda posters at Andiyagala town. PA Local Council Chairman, Sirinama coming with a gang in the Pickup cab of the Local Council and a numberplateless motorcycle, has tried to threaten the JVPers not to engage in JVP political activities thereafter.

VEHICLE USED BY THE ATTACKERS: 252 - 6496

 COMPLAINT MADE: Galkiriyagama Police Station EIB 16/16

 DATE: 17th of March 1999

 LOCATION: North Central Province- Eppawela

 INCIDENT:

Anuradhapura JVP candidate Ranasinghe Pathirana, who was transporting propaganda posters was assaulted by PA supporters. Supporters of PA Deputy minister Birty Premalal, Jagath and Harin attacked the JVP candidate and stole a motor bicycle(91-6450) and a sum of 3200 rupees. Comrade Pahirana was admitted to Eppawela hospital owing to the injuries.

 COMPLAINT MADE: Eppawela Police Station

 DATE: --

 LOCATION: North Central Province- Padawi-Parackramapura Town

 INCIDENT:

JVP elction office situated at Parackramapura was attacked and damaged by PA supporters. PA candidate Upali Mihipura has led this mob. They have removed the office name-board banners and posters.

 COMPLAINT MADE: Padawiya Police Station

 DATE: --

 LOCATION: North Central Province- Anuradhapura

 INCIDENT:

Anuradhapura district JVP members were threatened not engege in political activities at the district office at 'Kada 12' by some PA supporters. They have come by a vehicle, which had a banner saying "Vote for Bandula Munasinghe"

 COMPLAINT MADE: Anuradhapura Police Station - IEB 12/6

 DATE: 31st of March 1999

 LOCATION: Sabaragamuwa Province- Kegalle

 INCIDENT:

JVP chief minister candidate and members of Sabaragamuwa PC were attacked by a group of PA supporters led by Wijesooriya, the Mavanella LocalCouncillor and secretary of PA candidate Vincent Pieris. They have assaulted comrade Ajith Kumara, who was coming back after participating several election propaganda rallies. The other comrades namely, candidate Sarath Chandradasa, W. V. Weerasinghe, Chandana Senerath, Tissa Wijeratne, Indika Kumara, Sanda Ruwan and Miss Renu Champa who came with the leading JVP candidate were too assaulted.

Comrades Ajith Kumara, Chandana Senerath, Tissa Wijeratne, Sanda Ruwan and Miss Renu Champa are admitted to Kegalle hospital.

The thugs have come having weapons such as revolvers, daggers, clubs etc. they have obstructed JVP members at the Mavanella Police station entrance who went to complain on the incident. The Police have acted partially for the thugs who represented govt power. Then the JVP chief minister candidate has gone to Kegalle Police station where he was unnecessarily kept in entering the complaint. The previous attacks on JVP within the Kegalle district are too continuing in this way. An injured comrade Niroshan Hettiaarachchi who was stabbed on the 28th of February is still getting treatments at hospital. Even at the hospital, the JVPcomrades were threatened.

The incidents occured previously are not properly investigated till now and the govt is keeping silence regarding the complaints made.

 COMPLAINT MADE: Kegalle Police Station

WRITE TO US, E-MAIL US ! GO Back to JVP home page