President appeals for free and fair election

Jayasiri MUNASINGHE

ANURADHAPURA: President Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday appealed the party supporters of the United People's Freedom Alliance to commit themselves to a free and fair election without unleashing violence against the members of the other political parties.

President Mahinda Rajapakse made this appeal yesterday in a message to all UPFA candidates contesting the forthcoming Local Polls from the Anuradhapura district.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake read out the message addressing the UPFA candidates at the Anuradhapura Urban Council indoor stadium.

President Rajapakse further appealed to the candidates not to cause any undue trouble with other political party activists and also to refrain from competing with other candidates to draw more preferential votes.

"All candidates should give first priority to make the UPFA victorious at the forthcoming elections", the President added.

The President's appeal came yesterday after a JVP member was seriously injured in a incident that took place on Saturday night.

The JVP supporters staged a peaceful protest yesterday in Anuradhapura condemning the attack in which the JVP member was seriously injured.

Meanwhile, in another incident 12 JVP members including Galle district MP Thilakaratna Withanachchi were injured and admitted to Karapitiya teaching hospital when they came under attack from the party supporters of another political party in Nagoda, Ethumale junction in Galle at 4.30 pm yesterday.