Heavy Post-Election Violence In Uva – Harin Targeted In The Attacks Too

September 23, 2014 

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.