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SF loyalist killed |
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2010-01-13 |
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In what could be termed as the first casualty of election violence in the run-up to the presidential election, a 55 year old woman was yesterday killed and several others injured when a gunman opened fire at a bus carrying supporters of opposition common
candidate Sarath Fonseka in Tangalle.
The supporters of Gen. Fonseka were on their way to attend an election rally organized by UNP MP Sajith Premadasa.
The incident took place in the Hungama police division in Tangalle around noon yesterday.
UNP MP Dilip Wedaarachchi said the victims were travelling from Beliatte to attend the rally in Tissamaharama last afternoon. He said about ten were injured in the attack.
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Fonseka to sue eight newspapers |
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2010-01-12 |
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Opposition Common Candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka has sent letters of demand for eight newspapers for publishing articles defamatory of his character, his joint spokesman JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.
Mr. Dissanayake told a news conference that Gen. Fonseka’s legal advisors are also seeking the possibility of suing some ruling party politicians who too made such insulting remarks in the run to the election.
“The UPFA’s propaganda machinery has collapsed beyond redemption. They cannot salvage it. So, they have resorted to all forms of mud slinging. The UPFA has not revived the economy or improved the health sector. Nor have they established democracy by ensuring media freedom. They cannot canvas votes on these lines. The only option to sling mud at the opposition,” he said. (Read More)
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Hadda Comes under the Hummer |
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2010-01-12 |
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“Dasa Desin Hatha” and “Rata Yana Atha” programmes spearheaded by Hudson Samarasinghe, one of Mahinda’s top propaganda agents on SLBC have been given strict guidelines on maintaining a balanced view by the Competent Authority for State Media appointed by the Elections Commissioner Jayampathi Hettiarachchi. It is common knowledge that Samarasinghe’s programmes heavily favour President Rajapakse. Mr Hettiarachchi has announced that the relevant authorities have been informed of these instructions.
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Thieves ransack post office seeking polling cards |
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2010-01-12 |
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A complaint had been made that the Kitulhitiyawa post office in Kekirawa had been forced open by person apparently searching for polling cards, Kekirawa police said. Investigations revealed that there was also an attempt to ransack the post office police added.
A high official of the main post office, Kekirawa said the poll cards had not been delivered to the relevant post offices and perhaps an attempt had been made to pilfer poll cards or for some mischievous act.
The post mistress said the letter box of the post office had been broken open and that the postman’s bicycle had also been stolen and that she suspected the perpetrators of the break-in had been after left over polling cards.
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All cutouts and posters removed say Police |
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2010-01-12 |
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Peliyagoda Police pledged in the Colombo Magistrate court that they had removed all illegal cut outs, posters and banners of all the candidates contesting the Jan. 26 Presidential Election from the walls in the Peliyagoda Police area.
The Police made this submission before the Additional Magistrate of Colombo Lal R. Bandara while producing a suspect who was allegedly arrested while pasting posters of the Opposition Common Candidate General Sarath Fonseka in a public place in Kelaniya.
Counsel appearing for the suspect, Jayathilaka Theverapperuma of Dippitigoda, submitted that the suspect was arrested by the Police who by their actions were biased towards the Presidential Candidate for the UPFA, President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He contended that the police, while leaving colossal cut outs, banners and posters of UPFA Candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa intact had been removing only the cut outs, banners and posters of opposing candidates.
He submitted that if the court permited him he would produce videoed visuals of those cut outs and banners of the President that are still prevalent on walls in the Peliyagoda Police area in court. Counsel requested court to grant bail to the suspect.
The magistrate released the suspect on Rs 25,000 personal bail and fixed further inquiries for January 26. Counsel Gunaratna Wanninayake with Mervin Silva, Wasantha Pitigala, and Thusitha Gunasekera appeared for the suspect
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Cancel Pongal celebrations using State funds: Polls Chief |
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2010-01-12 |
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The Tourism Ministry Secretary has been advised by the Commissioner of Elections to cancel the Thai Pongal celebrations on 14th January at Vavuniya utilising Ministry funds as it was politically inclined and violated election laws.
However, DM online learns that Minister Achala Suranga Jagoda had pressurized the Secretary to go ahead with the function disregarding the order of the Elections Commissioner.
The Secretary had been forced to release the necessary funds amounting to nearly Rs. 15 million. The function is to be held under the patronage of South Indian artistes in the form of a Presidential election propaganda campaign, Secretary George Michael said. (Read More) |
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JVP alleges poll malpractices in Hambantota |
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2010-01-12 |
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The Presidential election campaign in Hambantota is full of malpractices, JVP MP Nihal Galappaththi said. JVP and UNP supporters are also being harassed, the Hambantota District MP alleged at a press briefing at Amila Hotel, Tangalle. So far, he said, unidentified masked gunmen had shot at 12 houses that exhibited posters of Presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka while 32 JVP offices had been attacked in the district. Complaints made to police have fallen on deaf ears, the MP charged. |
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Sri Lanka will be the vibrant nation in Asia - President |
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2010-01-12 |
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing a gathering packed to capacity at the BMICH to mark the release of his election manifesto titled "Mahinda Chinthana - extended Version" pledged to build a strong and healthy society and make Sri Lanka the most vibrant nation in Asia. The President emphasized that a vote for the Betel Leaf at the Presidential election would be a vote to ensure the freedom of this nation and the people. The Head of State said that he took over a torch burning at both ends in 2005 as terrorism was at its' peak and the nation divided by a controversial ceasefire agreement."Many though I could not face those challenges.The hope I had was the trust of the people and my self - confidence", said the President. |
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Competent authority withdrawn: EC under huge presure |
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2010-01-12 |
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Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake, who had met with polls monitors today, informed them that the competent authority appointed to monitor state media will be withdrawn, the Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) director Keerthi Tennakoon said.
A former Government Agent Jayampathy Hettiarachchi was named as the nominee for the post but was yet to receive the formal letter of appointment. The law gives the Competent Authority wide ranging powers including supervision and control over programmes. He is also empowered to ensure compliance with certain conditions including accuracy and impartiality in news presented by these media institutions as well as ensuring programmes do not include anything which is against good taste or decency, incite a person to commit a crime or lead to disorder, offend racial or religious susceptibilities or offend public feeling.
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Fonseka ready for arms debate |
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2010-01-11 |
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The JVP today renewed calls for a debate between Opposition Common Candidate General Sarath Fonseka and President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the alleged fraud in the procurement of certain military supplies. The JVP said General Fonseka was ready for the debate.
JVP parliamentary group leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told reporters that only these two are privy to all the arms deals as the Defence Minister and the Army Commander during that period.
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