Intra-party clashes on a high

- Polls observer

Harshini PERERA

Incidents of election violence was recorded within the same party between candidates vying for votes, said the Media Spokesman of the National Polls Observation Center, Saman Galappaththi. Ninety five cases have been reported of which eight were recognised as serious while the rest were minor in nature.

He further said that Police have not yet weilded its authority to control violence during the period of campaigning. As a result of that, a murder was committed while many cases of assault, verbal abuse and violations were also reported.

There were 35 cases recorded in the Gampaha district, 34 cases in Colombo while 26 were reported from Kalutara, by April 22. However there were no complaints of seizure of ballot papers and Identity cards. However, complains of damages done to bill boards and posters were made.

The NPOC will allocate five lawyers to each division and a 24 hour mobile service will be in operation throughout the election in the three districts covering 36 electoral divisions. There will be 360 observers consisting of Justices of Peace and volunteers. Convenor of the NPOC, Prasanna Adikari said that the Commissioner of Elections should take necessary action to control any incidents of violence during the election period.

The NPOC has requested the public to inform of any violent acts during the election to following telephone numbers.

National Organiser Rasanga Harishchandra 0773130179, Athula De Silva 0777769787, Convenor 0718725643, National Polls Observation Center 0602050268, 0602050271