SLMM determined to prevent N-E polls violence

BY ANANTH Palakidnar

THE Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) will intensify monitoring activities in the North-East to prevent violence during the Presidential Polls campaign, SLMM Chief Hagrup Haukland said.

Two men were shot dead in Valaichchanai in the Batticaloa district shortly after an election rally attended by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse in Ampara on Friday night.

"We are aware of the situation in the North and East with regard to the poll. Since candidates and their parties will be campaigning in Government controlled areas in the North-East, the SLMM will be more vigilant in its monitoring activities," Haukland said.

He said that a European Union delegation had met him and discussed the ground situation in the North and East. According to Haukland, the SLMM will assist polls monitors during the election period.

Referring to the European Union's decision on the LTTE travel ban in the EU, Haukland said that 37 members of the 60-strong SLMM monitors were from EU member countries and the EU's decision on the LTTE would not interrupt the SLMM's functions.