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Wayamba
polls today after tense election campaign
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Wayamba polls today after tense election
campaign Police have clamped strict security measures in the North Western Province where thousands of people will go to the polls today to elect members to their Provincial Council after a bloody election campaign which left two dead and many injured. The Commissioner of Elections Dayananda Dissanayake said yesterday that all arrangements for conducting the poll have been completed and urged the voters to go early to vote. Observers said the Commissioner’s request followed reports that some contestants were planning to impersonate voters in some areas and rig the polls. More than 13,500 public servants, ranging from senior officers of the Administrative Service to clerks and peonS took up positions in Wayamba for the conduct of the poll. They will supervise, the election process, man polling stations and assist in the counting of votes tonight after the polling closes. Police reported that some 675 incidents of election related violence had been reported during the six-week election campaign up to mid night last Friday. The incidents had, however, declined during the weekend as candidates and their supporters took a break. after a hectic campaign, one of the bloodiest for elections to a local authority since independence 51 years ago. Forty incidents were reported on Saturday and Sunday. The total of some 720 incidents included the killing of a UNP supporter at Anamaduwa and a PA supporter at Pannala. There were also complaints of nine alleged murders, 40 cases of hurt, 175 assaults, 88 threats and intimidation, 28, robberies 63 cases of mischief, 18 arson, 139 threats, 81 damage to property and 32 others. Most of these complaints were against UNP and PA activists. Senior police officials said that a contingent of more than 6,000 policemen had been deployed in the province to guard polling and country stations, patrol roads and provide general security to candidates as well as the voters. The political parties in the fray are People’s Alliance, United National Party, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, New Left Front, Muslim United Liberation Front, The Liberal Party and the Sri Lanka Progressive Front. The North Western Province consists of two administrative districts Kurunegala and Puttalam. One Independent group will contest the Kurunegala district while three Independent groups have entered the contest from the Puttalam district. The Chief Minister aspirants from the leading political parties are Gamini Jayawickrema Perera (UNP), Sarath Nawinne of the People’s Alliance and Bimal Ratnayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). The newly formed New Left Front will field Patrick Fernando as their Chief Ministerial candidate in the NWP. A total of 446 candidates from these political parties and independent groups are contesting the 50 seats at stake (35 at Kurunegala and 15 at Puttalam plus 2 bonus seats). Soon after polling closes at 4 p.m. the ballot boxes will be moved under police escort to 82 counting centres at Kurunegala and 36 at Puttalam. Counting of ballots is expected to start around 7 p.m. and the results are expected to be announced from the early hours of Tuesday. Security sources said that a curfew is likely to be declared in the province shortly after polling closes to prevent a further outbreak of violence. They said that army personnel are expected to be called to assist the police in maintaining law and order if necessary. Political sources said that this election is of great significance as it will give an indication of the popularity or otherwise of the PA government which has been ruling the country for the past four years. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga leading the PA and UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe has each expressed confidence of emerging victorious at the election. Polling and after — all arrangements finalised The Commissioner of Elections Dayananda Dissanayake, said yesterday that all arrangements have been finalised for the counting of votes, preferences and declaration of results after the North Western Provincial Council election today. The following is the text of a statement from the Election Commissioner: "Necessary arrangements have been made for the counting of votes at 118 counting centres, after receiving all relevant material including ballot boxes, at the counting centres arranged for the purpose by the Returning Officers of Kurunegala and Puttalam; these will be received at the conclusion of elections at 4.00 p.m. on 25.01.99 from the senior presiding officers in charge of polling stations. Of these 118 counting centres, 7 have been set aside for the counting of postal votes. The normal counting centres have been allocated according to polling divisions. "At the counting centres the total number of ballot papers contained in the ballot boxes will be counted first, the number of votes received by the recognised political parties/independent groups will be counted next; finally the preference votes received by each party/group will be counted. "After each Counting Officer counts the number of ballot papers received from the Polling Stations located within the area of each Counting Centre and after reporting to the Returning Officer the number of votes polled by the Parties/Groups that entered the fray, the Returning Officer will count the total number of votes polled by each Party/Group, within each polling division (old electorate) in respect of the entire Administrative District. Thereafter, the number of votes polled by each Party/Group (each one respectively) in respect of the entire Administrative District, will be divided by the number of members to be elected by the relevant Administrative District, and the "resulting number" will accordingly be calculated. Beginning with the Political Party or Independent Group that polls the highest number of votes, the number of votes that each Party/Group actually polled will be divided by the resulting number, and so shall be reckoned, the number of members who will represent each Party/Group in the Provincial Council. "After counting the number of votes polled by each Party/Group the number of preferences received by each candidate of each Party/Group will be recorded separately at each counting, centre (including counting centres for postal voter). After gathering these records from all the counting centres, the total number of preferences received by the contestants (candidates) will be added at the centre where the final results are scheduled to be prepared, and a list of candidates from each Party/Group will be prepared in the descending order of the total number of preferences polled by each one of them. Thereafter, on the basis of the list which will be in a serial order, the number of members to represent each such Party/Group, in the Provincial Council, will be determined. "Arrangements have been made to release the results through Rupavahini Corporation and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. Such declaration of results will be in respect of each polling division (old electorate) and of the counting centres for postal votes within the Administrative District of Kurunegala and Puttalam. The number of members who will be eligible to represent each Party/Group in the Provincial Council in the capacity of its members, in respect of each Administrative District, will be announced next. Finally the arrangements have been made to issue the total number of preferences received by each candidate." IGP to be tough on impersonators Stringent measures have been taken to prevent impersonation by any political party in the NWP elections today, said the Inspector General of Police, Lucky Kodituwakku yesterday. He said that political parties have been advised not to come to the aid of any person caught in the act of impersonation. The IGP replying to questions posed by ‘The Island’ said: Q: What are the measures taken by the police to curb impersonation? A: In addition to the police on duty at the polling stations, police security check ups have been placed close to all polling stations. Polling agents at the polling stations representing political parties have been advised to bring to the notice of the police immediately any attempts at impersonation. Q: What action has been taken by the police to prevent political violence? A: The North Western Province is already under a tight police security net. In addition there would be police road blocks and police mobile patrol service. Police personnel in civies also would be deployed. Any person trying to create trouble would be arrested forthwith and be produced in court. Steps have also been taken to bring such suspects within minutes of creating trouble to the nearest police station. Over 6000 police personnel have been deployed in the area. Kotahena police last night found an improvised explosive device at Wasala road, Kotahena.Police said thatthe bomb had been concealed in a lunch box.[NP] 691 m spent for last parliamentary, presidential
polls The Elections Department has estimated that today’s election to elect a new provincial administration for the North Western Province will cost them approximately Rs. 20 million, an authoritative source said yesterday. "We cannot guarantee that expenses will not go beyond estimates," he told The Island. The Elections Department believes that of the 20 million, most will be spent in the Kurunegala district. The People’s Alliance government in its last budget presented in November last year has allocated Rs. 570 million for the elections department. The department is expected to prepare estimates for work relating to provincial polls in the Uva, Central, North Central, Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces. President Chandrika Kumaratunga on January 18 said that elections to these Provincial Councils could be held soon. Election department sources said that estimates for each Provincial Council would vary. Polls related expenses in Uva or Sabaragamuwa can be much more than the NWP estimates, sources said. The August 94 parliamentary poll and the November presidential election the same year had cost a staggering Rs. 691 million. "Our expenses in the August election were higher than the other one," a department official said. Rs 358 million was spent on the parliamentary poll and Rs 333 million for the presidential election, he said. ‘Mayor,
Dy. Mayor arrested by police’ The Mayor of Badulla, M. D. A. Hemachandra was admitted to hospital with injuries after he was attacked when travelling by car to Kurunegala, according to a press release issued by the Chairman of the National Chapter of Mayors Karu Jayasuriya, who is also the Mayor of Colombo. Mr. Jayasuriya states in the Press Release: "The National Chapter of Mayors of Sri Lanka deplores the violence that is prevailing over the North Western Provincial Council Election to be held on the 25th of January. In particular, the Chapter of Mayors has condemned the attack on the Mayor of Badulla, His Worship M. D. A. Hemachandra. Mr. Hemachandra was travelling to Kurunegala, when his car was stopped and he was attacked. It is reported that responsible officials had been present at the time of the attack. Mr. Hemachandra was admitted to hospital with injuries. The increasing threats, intimidation and violence will not ensure a free and fair election and will certainly undermine democracy. We sincerely hope that prompt action will be taken to inquire into all such incidents and hold those responsible for same. This is the only way we can prevent incidents of this nature in the future and ensure confidence on the voters. However, Rupavahini last night quoted Gokarella police as saying that the mayor, deputy mayor were among 11 persons arrested along with a bomb and 1200 leaflets defamatory of the president. Rupavahini’s Sinhala news broadcast at 8 p.m. said that the mayor had been admitted to hospital after complaining of heartache. Bus services would be strengthened in the North Western Province today to enable voters to reach polling booths without any difficulty, said Ramal Siriwardena, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Transport Board. No buses would be released to any political party or individual on election day and thereafter for a week for any purposes to ensure that the buses are not used for any unlawful purposes, the Chairman said in a statement. Kadirgamar seeks Australian help to combat LTTE terrorism Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar who concluded a three day official visit to Australia on Friday, has asked Australia for help in halting the flow of international funds to the LTTE. The Minister who addressed a luncheon meeting at the National Press Club in Canberra on Friday said that during a two hour meeting held with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer on Thursday, he had "sought the Australian Government’s assistance to help Sri Lanka uncover organisations believed to be covertly funding the LTTE". The Minister noted that "Australia needs to create a climate in which the fund raisers and their front organisations don’t find it convenient to operate, because as long as they feel they have a free run and are beyond the law, then they will just grow. He observed that "there was a very clear commitment on the part of the Australian Government to take the question of fund raising for terrorist activities very seriously." The Australian Government has a very realistic understanding and assessment of the situation in Sri Lanka. They also, like all our friends, would like peace to return", he added. A press release issued by the Foreign Ministry in Colombo on the Minister’s visit noted that in his talks with the Australian Foreign Minister they had discussed a range of bilateral and multilateral matters of interest to both countries and had expressed their complete satisfaction at the excellent state of relations between Australia and Sri Lanka. The release noted that the Ministers discussed the measures being taken by the international community to combat international terrorism, especially the current initiative taken by France for a Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing. The release said "both Ministers agreed that their governments being actively committed to combating international terrorism by all available means, will work towards the adoption of the proposed convention, which has attracted strong support from many governments". There are organisations in Australia which collect funds that are channelled to the LTTE for its military and terrorist activities", Minister Downer had said "legislation is already in place in Australia to counter such activities and that amendments will be made to the legislation, if required, in the light of the UN Convention". "In any event the government will keep an eye on such organisations". Minister Kadirgamar also drew the attention of Minister Downer "to the continuing recruitment by the LTTE of teenage children, many as young as ten to thirteen, for armed combat against Government Forces". The Sri Lankan Minister had noted that "in spite of the assurance given by the LTTE last year to Olara Otunnu, the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, that this practice will be discontinued, the practice continues unabated notwithstanding its condemnation by the United Nations." Minister Downer expressed his abhorrence of this wholly undesirable practice and pledged his support for any measures that would help to eliminate this conduct on the part of the LTTE, the release said. On the ethnic question in Sri Lanka, "Minister Downer reiterated the position he had expressed three years ago, that the Government of Australia does not condone violence or any form of terrorist activity as a means of solving political problems and that the Government will not entertain any representation from Tamil groups in Australia unless they renounce violence in writing". Minister Kadirgamar added that he "believed the LTTE had outlived their purpose and should now consider options other than a separate homeland". Majority of children born in Batticaloa district maladjusted ERAVUR: A large number of children born in 1990 in the Batticaloa district are maladjusted, said the Principal of Al-Nazar Vidyalaya, Kattankudy, A. L. Uduma Lebbe at a special ceremony held at the school recently. He also said there was severe tension in 1990 in the district as it was regarded as the period of terror. Over 100 innocent Muslims while at prayer in a mosque in Kattankudy were brutally massacred and some others were kidnapped by the armed gangs. At present, more than 30 children who were born during that period study at this school now and are maladjusted due to emotional disturbance. They are very weak in studying and we provide them with special education. In conclusion the principal said that as this school is located in a backward area, many children attend this school without having their breakfast. They often faint during the morning period and we take remedial measures for their benefit. Galle’s reconstructed fruit market opened GALLE: The fruit market reconstructed at a cost of Rs. 30 lakhs by the Galle Municipal Council was declared open recently. Southern Province Governor Deshamanya Neville Kanakaratne was the chief guest. Dr. Kanakaratne said that the original building was set up about 180 years ago and commended the Mayor for reconstructing it. The Governor also said that a team of foreigners whom he met some time earlier had pointed out on the need to improve the Galle city to international standard after mentioning its historical value. During the course of developing the Galle city certain illegal activities were in session. But they have to be stopped forthwith. The Minister of Education and Higher Education, Richard Pathirana wanted him to participate on the occasion as he had to attend parliament on an urgent matter. The Galle Mayor Lionel Premasiri said that the P.A. ruled Galle M.C. during past 18 months had done much to develop the city, but the publicity given by the media was poor. This old building was badly dilapidated and was about to collapse when he assumed duties and priority was given to reconstruct the dilapidated fish market and it is over now. He also said in order to reconstruct the fruit market the M.C. allocated rupees 15 lakhs while the Chief Minister of the S.P.C. contributed rupees 10 lakhs and rupees 5 lakhs was given by Minister Richard Pathirana from his decentralized budget. The construction work of the new storeyed library building is now under way at a cost of rupees 450 million and it will be opened in November this year. The long existing dilapidated condition of the death "Butterfly Bridge" had been highlighted in the newspapers on several occasions. The Mayor also said that banners and posters will flood the Galle town with the help of foreign aid regarding its development programme. Deputy Mayor Mansoor Marrikar, former MP for Galle, D. G. Albert de Silva, SPC Member W. P. Amarapala and Secretary of the S.P.C. Ministry of Local Government and Fisheries D. G. Punchihewa also participated. Mediamen should work without conflict KURUNEGALA: There is a competition in politics but yet the media personnel should work without conflicts among them, said Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva when he participated at the eight anniversary of the North Western Provincial Media Association held at Wariyapola Community Hall recently. He also said that politicians should tolerate the different ideologies and criticism which appear in newspapers. The media of a country is open to various ideologies and different ways of looking at of what happens throughout a country. The media though working properly and in an unbiased way giving publicity to their news stories and other material. Unfortunately the media freedom is being used by certain mediamen of our country in a partial manner. The public of our country should react in a better way while rejecting what is incorrect and partial. Former Deputy Minister S. B. Nawinna of Wariyapola praised the North Western Provincial Media Association for the way in which the members work. Most of the mediamen of NWP are writing well while highlighting what the public wish and don’t wish. Controller of Raja Rata Service of the SLBC Jotipala Tebuwana, Editor of Nidahasa Newspaper Wadakada Navaratna and Chairman Wariyapola Co-operative Society Ltd. also spoke. Minipe 3 - 4 project farmers in a dilemma LAGGALA: About 800 farmers in Minipe 3 - 4 project met recently at Gemburu Oya, Dunuwilatthi junction and decided to send back the tourists who visit the Wasgamuwa National Park if a permanent solution to the wild elephant menace in cultivated villages is not implemented. Farmers say that the destruction to property such as houses and crops and also human lives are on the increase day by day by the elephants in the park. Farmers who live in the areas as Gemburu Oya, Landiyagala, Dunuwilapitiya usually shift to Yoda Ela Dam to spend the night to save their children and families from danger. Recently eight houses were damaged while Pussella Yaya School was also attacked by the wild beasts. Although farmers have requested for a solution to the problem for the past several years the authorities concerned haven’t responded to their demands. Vice Chairman of Wilgamuwa Pradeshiya Sabha Wasantha Ekanayake promised the farmers that he will look into their problem. Two unexploded bombs found in the Pettah police
area The blasting of five transformers in Colombo city last week was the work of the LTTE, said Inspector General of Police, Lucky Kodituwakku. He said Tigers were trying to disrupt the economy of the country and cause difficulties to the public in their day-to-day lives by blasting these electricity transformers. Two transformers were blasted last Monday in Colombo, last Saturday morning around 4.30 a.m. three more transformers were damaged by bombs exploding in the Kotahena area. The blasting of transformers at Sanghamitta Road, Wasala Road and Ginthupitiya in Kotahena caused much inconvenience to over 5000 residents in the area apart from the undue hardships caused to business institutions in the area by distrupting electricity supplies. The IGP said he intends obtaining the co-operation of the citizens in Colombo by forming People’s Committee in the areas where electricity transformers have been fixed in order to curb any further attacks on the transformers. Police stations in areas where electricity transformers are fixed have already been instructed to arrest any suspicious looking people loitering around the place. Already police have rounded up 45 suspects for questioning regarding the attacks on the transformers in Colombo. Police yesterday found two improvised explosive devices in Pettah. It had been timed to explode in the morning. Free surgery by German surgeons A team of German plastic surgeons will arrive in Colombo on February 6 to perform surgery free of charge at the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital. Programme Coordinator Dr. V. Vijayakumaran last Saturday (23) said that victims of bottle lamp burns, scars and the contraction due to burns will be treated by the team from February 8 to 19. A communique issued by the University of Peradeniya said that the preliminary screening and registration for the surgery will be held on January 27 and February 3 at 1.30 p.m. at the Surgical Clinic of the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital. Legal
dispute resolved The legal dispute between Banks and the Ceylon Bank Employees Union in respect of the exercise of the rights of the employees to engage in trade union action during the pendancy of a collective agreement has now been resolved. Plaintiff banks and the defendant union moved to withdraw the action without costs. Colombo District Judge Eric Basanayaka allowed the application last Friday. Earlier, the application by the plaintiff banks through their counsel G. G. Arulpragasam for an enjoining order to restrain any trade union action by the defendant bank employees was allowed by Colombo District Court. The motion of consent filed by both parties spelt out as follows; The Plaintiffs and at the Defendant have entered into a collective agreement after the institution of the action. The defendant and the Ceylon Employers Federation on behalf of the plaintiff have had serious negotiations to reach agreement and maintain cordial relations At the present stage of negotiations, and for the proper maintenance of cordialrelation it is necessary that the action not to continue. Without prejudice to the rights of both parties, they desire that the action not to continue. In the circumstances they moved towithdraw the action without costs. Hatton National Bank Limited, Commercial Bank of Ceylon Ltd, The Hongkong Bank, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, State Bank of India are the Plaintiffs. Ceylon Bank Employees Union is the Defendant. President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva with Palitha Kumarasinghe instructed by G. G. Arulpragasam appeared for the plaintiff banks. Gomin Dayasiri with Nigel Hatch instructed by D.L. F de Saram appeared for defendant union. Sri Lanka Women’s NGO Forum says The Sri Lanka’s NGO Forum yesterday called in political parties, candidates and supporters to ensure that incidents of violence against women would not be committed during and after the North Western Provincial Council election. In a statement the Forum said: "The Sri Lanka Women’s NGO Forum which strongly supports the participation of women in decision-making and political processes notes with deep concern and dismay the rising levels of violence linked to the Wayamba Provincial Council elections to be held on 25th January 1999. We are appalled at the type of violence which has been directed at women involved in campaigning for the contesting political parties, in particular the incident involving a woman canvasser who was brutally attacked. Such incidents go against the very grains of justice and the foundations of a civil society. Incidents such as these are serious obstacles to the participation of women in politics and should be condemned outright. We find that targeting women entering the field of politics is a violation of the principles enshrined in the Constitution of the Government of Sri Lanka, the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) to which Sri Lanka is a signatory and the Women’s Charter of Sri Lanka. Verbal and physical intimidation of women is totally unacceptable and deplorable and is an indictment on Sri Lankan society in general. We strongly call upon all those responsible for upholding and safeguarding democracy and democratic principles including all contesting political parties and candidates to take immediate steps to stop incidents of violence which are seriously threatening holding of free and fair elections in the country. We call upon all contesting parties and candidates and supporters to ensure that no incidents of violence against women be committed during and after elections". The statement was signed by Women’s Education and Research Centre, The Women and Media Collective, Ruk Rekaganno, Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum, Agromart Foundation, Voice of Women, Kantha Shakthi, Centre for Women’s Research, Sri Lanka Federation of University Women, Suriya Women’s Development Centre, Muslim Women’s Conference. Official web-site for NWP polls results The Government Information Department has set up an official web site for the Provincial Council elections for North Western Province. It can be reached at www. news.lk/Elections, the Department said. This is the officially recognized web site by the Commissioner of Elections for the declaration of the results of the polls and is updated real-time by the Government Information Department in coordination with the Institute of Computer Technology, University of Colombo, an Information Department press release said. |
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