The Violence Continues In Nawalapitiya
By Cassandra Mascarenhas
A gang in Nawalapitiya attacked UNP Kandy District candidate Mano Ganeshan’s convoy of vehicles last Friday, leading to a clash between the two parties involved, resulting in the damage of several vehicles, and people sustaining minor injuries.
This was following an incident on Thursday, where two of his campaign teams came under attack again in the electorate of Nawalapitiya, injuring two people and damaging at least two vehicles.
Police escorts that Ganeshan was provided with following the earlier incident also accompanied the convoy. A vehicle at the end of the convoy was first attacked by the gang, which in turn led to the altercation between the two groups.
“The gang was clearly identified”, confirmed Mano Ganeshan. “We cannot make complaints to the Nawalapitiya police, therefore I am going straight to IGP Mahinda Balasuriya with this matter, which is very serious.”
Ganeshan, who was also a part of the convoy, stated that this incident brought the total up to seven attacks against his party members and supporters in just Nawalapitiya. He feels that the number will continue to escalate as April 20, the day the re-poll for the General Elections is scheduled to be held, draws nearer.
After the incident, a vehicle from Ganeshan’s fleet was taken into police custody under the claim that it did not have license plates. He dismissed this claim stating that the police escort themselves took note of the license plate numbers before the convoy departed. His police protection was also withdrawn after the incident, which is another matter he plans on discussing with the IGP.
“This incident is a reflection of the prevailing state of violence in the Nawalapitiya electorate. The plantation workers of Tamil-Indian origin are being prevented from voting on April 20 by Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage who is also contesting from Kandy as they would vote in favour of me,” the leader of the Democratic People’s Front added.
The electorate of Nawalapitiya has been plagued with incidents of violence and elections malpractices since the start of the electoral process, some of the more serious ones leading to the annulment of polling at several divisions. The re-poll is scheduled to be held on April 20.
What is the Commissar of the Defence Ministry doing about this. Why is even the President not concerned. Cannot the state enforce law and order in this single electorate?
What are the UpCountry MPs – champions of the poor estate workers doing? Are they finding Ganesan a threat to their slavish existence.
The police are clearly the agents of the government which does not want Ganesan elected.
The Readers who are wise enough to understand , The same way
they won the presidential election, If SF was given equal footing free of thuggerism none of the fraud would have been committed.
Sheriff.. stop talking from your ass mate.
Simon, didnt yoy know that thamby Sheriff is SF’s lap dog?
SF had his Dalmation in the cage and Sheriif dog on his lap!!
It’s very doubtful that a gentleman like Dr Sarath Amunugama is doubtful of getting a place. Isnt it strange that SB cannot match upto Aluth? He is getting the same treatment he meted out to fellow contestants which won Chandrika the vote from his area.
The main reason for the all those problems, fights etc. were well organized by
the inefficient and uneducated former minster M.Aluthgamage and he is responsi-
ble for all the fights including the obstructions done to prevent the UNP voters from
casting their votes. MR must feel shame to have an MP like this.
Just watch the game and laugh at yourself.
Aluthgamage is just implementing the contract entrusted to him by MR to oust the UNPers.