UPFA to complain against UNP MP's conduct

RASIKA SOMARATHNA

The United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) said yesterday that they would lodge a complaint with the Commissioner of Elections over an incident which Kotte UNP Parliamentarian, Ravi Karunanayake had allegedly entered a counting centre unauthorised, while the counting of votes was in progress.

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said he would lodge a formal complaint with authorities in his capacity as the UPFA General Secretary over the unlawful act of the UNP MP which occurred during the counting of votes at the concluded Western Province Councils polls on Saturday.

Karunanayake had reportedly made a commotion near the counting centre, Room No. 62 of D.S.Senanayake College, Colombo in the company of UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake MP.

Earlier in the day, Karunanayake alleged that two ballot boxes had been swapped on the way to the counting centre and later the boxes had been opened and counting had begun even before the polling agents of the parties had arrived.

However, authorities denied the charge saying the counting of votes in the disputed centre had begun according to normal procedures and relevant officials had not found any clues suggesting swapping or stuffing of any ballot box.

Commenting on the allegations leveled by Karunanayake, Minister Premajayantha said according to his knowledge, all polling agents and officials had been present on the occasion.

He also charged that the allegation was a mere fabrication to mislead the people, in the face of one of the biggest defeats for the UNP in the Western Province.

"If you consider the overall result it is clear to everyone that the UPFA does not have to engage in such lowly tactics to gain the upper hand and a person of Ravi Karunanayake's stature should be ashamed of seeking cover behind such false allegations," the Minister added.