Illegal vehicles used in campaigning in Matale

29 July 2013

Journalist Rasika Dharshana Wijethilake, attached to the Independent Television Network (ITN,) who was undergoing treatment at Matale hospital due to injuries sustained during the clash between supporters of Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon and Thilak Bandara in Naula yesterday (July 28,) has left the hospital in the face of political intimidation. It has been reported that both parties were travelling in vehicles with garage numbers (photos attached.) These vehicles have now been confiscated by Matale police. In previous elections vehicles with garage numbers and those without number plates were widely used for campaigning in Matale, a trend which seems to be continuing. Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) believes that the violent clash which occurred between supporters of Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon and Thilak Bandara in Naula, Matale yesterday (July 28,) is only the beginning of intra party conflict between UPFA candidates in the district In a recent event in Kurunegala CaFFE Executive Director Keerthi Tennakoon identified that Matale, Kurunegala and Puttalam as areas where intra party rivalries can mainly be found. This is the second violent election related incident after nominations were called and the most serious reported incident so far. Pramitha Tennakoon is the son of minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon and Thilak Bandara is a close associate of MP Lakshman Wasantha Perera. Pointing out that clashed occurred between Janaka Bandara Tennakoon’s and Lakshman Wasantha Perera’s supporters during the general election, Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE,) said that this is a continuation of that animosity. CaFFE also stresses that clashes between UPFA candidates might be the biggest challenge for a peaceful election in Matale. CaFFE also fears that the two illegal rallies organized at the last day of the nomination period might also lead to violent altercations. CaFFE Media 29th July 2013