In a media release, he says, "Election monitoring organisations say over 300 cases of actual violations of law have been reported thus far. In most cases, fire arms and armed goons have been involved. This violent trend is now on the rise, with more defections from the Rajapaksa camp cementing the defeat of President Rajapaksa and his campaign leaders trying to stem the tide with violence. President Rajapaksa cannot say he does not know his campaign is being turned into a Wayamba type violent election carnival."
The USP candidate also adds that "there is also no necessity in parliamentarians and politicians being accompanied by armed security guards during election campaigns."
"This is an election to elect a candidate of people’s choice and that needs no arms and goons."
"I therefore appeal to the Elections Commissioner to immediately take steps to effectively disarm all security personnel provided to all parliamentarians and prohibit private security escorts for all politicians," he further says.
The complete statement of Siritunga Jayasuriya is as follows :
Increasing election violence: Remove Armed Security from All Politicians
The latest incident of violence in Beruwala on 26 December night where former President Chandrika Kumaratunge and Western Provincial Councillor Ms. Premachandra was targeted, shows this Rajapaksa regime is on a violent march to undermine opposition election campaigning.
My campaign rally in Pottuvil on 21st December, was attacked by goons led by a government party Urban Council Member Majeed. Many other goon attacks and firing at Opposition rallies were also reported.
Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) reports this latest attack in Beruwala occurred around 10.00 pm when former President Kumaratunge and Ms. Premachandra visited Western Provincial Councillor Mohamed Jemine Marikkar Mohamed’s house for dinner after a public rally in Beruwala.
CMEV also says, the police and the STF on duty had run for cover when the goons started attacking. Damage due to goon attacks includes property and former President Kumaratunge’s vehicle. Opposition Urban Council member Mohamed Mansoor Dalhan who was reportedly injured in the attack and taken to Beruwala base hospital had been refused admission by hospital authorities says the CMEV report.
The OPD medical doctor is quoted in the report as saying the police had instructed her not to admit any casualties to the hospital.
Election monitoring organisations say over 300 cases of actual violations of law have been reported thus far. In most cases, fire arms and armed goons have been involved. This violent trend is now on the rise, with more defections from the Rajapaksa camp cementing the defeat of President Rajapaksa and his campaign leaders trying to stem the tide with violence. President Rajapaksa cannot say he does not know his campaign is being turned into a Wayamba type violent election carnival.
I as the USP presidential candidate at this election, appeal to the people to organise themselves into vigilante election committees to safeguard their polling booths and resist all efforts to deny the people their right to a free and fair election.
There is also no necessity in parliamentarians and politicians being accompanied by armed security guards during election campaigns. Some in the government are even accused of having their own private security men carrying arms. This armed security has to be completely withdrawn to ensure a free and fair election. I therefore appeal to the Elections Commissioner to immediately take steps to effectively disarm all security personnel provided to all parliamentarians and prohibit private security escorts for all politicians.
This is an election to elect a candidate of people’s choice and that needs no arms and goons.
Siritunga Jayasuriya
USP Presidential Candidate
