With an overall 55% to 60% voter turnout, the curtain came down on the Eastern Provincial Council election yesterday sans any major poll-related acts of violence.
The turnout for the poll in the three districts of the Province, Ampara, Trincomalee and Batticaloa - held after a lapse of 20 years, was satisfactory, Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake said
Though there was a lull as polling opened at 7 am, it gathered momentum as the day progressed, election officials said.
"There were no major election-related incidents of violence", senior police and security officials said.
Ampara's Chief Returning Officer, Sunil Kannangara said polling was in the range of 60% to 65% in the Digamadulla district.
Trincomalee's Chief Returning Officer, Major General (Retd) Ranjith de Silva placed the voter turnover 55% to 60% in the district under his purview.
Chief Returning Officer of Batticaloa, Government Agent Sundaram Arumainayagam reported 55% polling in his district.
There were no major incidents during polling and voters were observed casting their votes in a relatively peaceful atmosphere, said W. P. Sumanasiri, the Additional Commissioner of Elections (Provincial and Local).
However, the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) and People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) reported certain poll-related incidents in the three districts.
CMEV said in a statement that 25 complaints of incidents of election related violence were received and of them 18 fell into the 'major offences' category.
PAFFREL's Executive director Kingsley Rodrigo said 56 incidents were reported and of them 28 were made by the UNP. Most of them related to chasing away voters, impersonation and clashes between political party supporters.
He said that overall 80% had gone off smoothly but 20% had been marred by untoward incidents.
The leader of the TMVP, who is also the Chief Ministerial candidate of the UPFA Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan better known as Pillaiyan cast his vote at the polling station at Vipulananda Maha Vidyalaya in Valachchenai. Similarly, the other UPFA hopeful M. L .A. M. Hisbullah voted in his hometown of Kattankudy under heavy military cover.
The Chairman of the SLMC and chief candidate of the UNP from the Batticaloa district Basheer Cegudawood cast his vote at the Arafat Vidayalaya booth, adjoining his residence at Eravur.
UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake, coordinating his party's campaign yesterday charged that the polls were not free and fair and cited certain incidents at Tirukkovil in Ampara, Verugal in Trincomalee. He accused the TMVP leader of rigging votes in Batticaloa but said he is hopeful of victory for the UNP.
Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa who was associated with Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva in leading the UPFA's campaign in the Digamadulla District also expressed confidence of victory for his party.
UPFA General Secretary and Minister Susil Premajayantha leading the campaign from the Batticaloa district said that the situation was quite calm without any major incidents and the voter turnout was improving by noon, "The UPFA is assured of an overwhelming victory "
Senior Advisor to the President (MP) Basil Rajapaksa leading the UPFA's campaign in the Eastern Province expressed confidence that the Government would get a resounding victory to move forward with developing the province.
DIG (Digamadulla) Shantha Rajapaksa said no violent poll-related incidents were reported.
DIG (Batticaloa) H. M. D Herath said that the situation was under control without any incidents worth mentioning.
DIG (Trincomalee) Upali Gunasekera said that expect for a few isolated incidents, voting took place in a peaceful atmosphere.
The last elections to the formerly merged North-East Province was held on November 19, 1988
This poll was held according to the Electoral Register for 2006 under which there are 982,721 registered voters who were eligible to cast their vote for 1,342 candidates belonging to 18 political parties and 56 independent groups to elect 35 members. Two bonus seats will go to the party or group that receives the highest number of preference votes.
Courtesy: The Island
Monday, May 12, 2008
Wanni liberation continues; 15 terrorists killed in yesterday's clashes
Sri Lanka army soldiers engaged in counter terror operations in the Islands's terror gripped North yesterday (May 10) continued their onslaught at the terror defences in the Jaffna and Wanni theatres of operations.
In the Jaffna theatre, troops attacked terror bunkers on the Muhamalai front and claimed to have neutralised few of them. However, no confirmation on terror casualties has so far been obtained in any of these attacks.
Separately, a sniper deployed on the Nagarkovil front reported to have shot down one LTTE cadre detected approx 250m ahead of own defence line last morning.
In Wanni theatre, all three battlefronts, i.e. Vavuniya, Mannar and Welioya were fully engaged in daylong clashes with the terrorists.
On the Vavuniya front, troops attacked terrorists at three occasions and claimed to have killed 4 terrorists and wounded 3 others. At Vedamakilam, troops ambushed a group of terrorists in the morning hours and confirmed two terrorists were killed in this incident. At Palampiddi, troops clashed with the terrorist in two occasions, one in the morning and the other in the evening. Army Electronic Warfare (EW) cells confirmed 2 terrorists were killed and 3 others wounded in these incidents. No damages caused to the own troops.
Elsewhere, one soldier suffered serious injuries due to an anti personnel (AP) explosion while advancing in the Vairavarpuliyankulam area last afternoon.
On the Mannar warfront, troops continued their offensives in the Alankulama area throughout the day. However, no confirmation on terror casualties has been received so far. During these operations one soldier caught in a booby trap received injuries and evacuated to immediate medical attention.
Separately, troops attacked and destroyed an LTTE bunker defence using RCL weapons at Manthota last morning. Troops believed at least 2 terrorists were killed in these clashes.
A sniper deployed in the Karunkandal area reported to have gunned down an LTTE cadre on the same day evening.
On the Welioya warfront, troops had several clashes in the North of Janakapura and Kiriibaanwawa areas throughout the day.
EW cells confirmed 4 terrorists were killed and at least 5 others injured during the clashes occurred in the North of Janakapura area for the day. Also one body of a slain LTTE cadre and 14 hand grenades, one T-56 riffle, a silver compass were found during search operations. A soldier suffered injuries due to an AP mine explosion and directed to immediate medical care.
In the North of Kiriibbanwewa area, troops attacked and captured a trench line manned by LTTE terrorists last evening. EW cells confirmed one terrorist was killed and another injured in this incident. Separately, troops attacked a group of terrorists on the same evening and claimed 2 terrorists were either killed or wounded. Troops suffered no casualties in the incident.
Troops engaged in search operations in the area removed 256 AP mines, uncovered 18 hand grenades and 2 improvised bombs.
Limited offensives are continuing.
In the Jaffna theatre, troops attacked terror bunkers on the Muhamalai front and claimed to have neutralised few of them. However, no confirmation on terror casualties has so far been obtained in any of these attacks.
Separately, a sniper deployed on the Nagarkovil front reported to have shot down one LTTE cadre detected approx 250m ahead of own defence line last morning.
In Wanni theatre, all three battlefronts, i.e. Vavuniya, Mannar and Welioya were fully engaged in daylong clashes with the terrorists.
On the Vavuniya front, troops attacked terrorists at three occasions and claimed to have killed 4 terrorists and wounded 3 others. At Vedamakilam, troops ambushed a group of terrorists in the morning hours and confirmed two terrorists were killed in this incident. At Palampiddi, troops clashed with the terrorist in two occasions, one in the morning and the other in the evening. Army Electronic Warfare (EW) cells confirmed 2 terrorists were killed and 3 others wounded in these incidents. No damages caused to the own troops.
Elsewhere, one soldier suffered serious injuries due to an anti personnel (AP) explosion while advancing in the Vairavarpuliyankulam area last afternoon.
On the Mannar warfront, troops continued their offensives in the Alankulama area throughout the day. However, no confirmation on terror casualties has been received so far. During these operations one soldier caught in a booby trap received injuries and evacuated to immediate medical attention.
Separately, troops attacked and destroyed an LTTE bunker defence using RCL weapons at Manthota last morning. Troops believed at least 2 terrorists were killed in these clashes.
A sniper deployed in the Karunkandal area reported to have gunned down an LTTE cadre on the same day evening.
On the Welioya warfront, troops had several clashes in the North of Janakapura and Kiriibaanwawa areas throughout the day.
EW cells confirmed 4 terrorists were killed and at least 5 others injured during the clashes occurred in the North of Janakapura area for the day. Also one body of a slain LTTE cadre and 14 hand grenades, one T-56 riffle, a silver compass were found during search operations. A soldier suffered injuries due to an AP mine explosion and directed to immediate medical care.
In the North of Kiriibbanwewa area, troops attacked and captured a trench line manned by LTTE terrorists last evening. EW cells confirmed one terrorist was killed and another injured in this incident. Separately, troops attacked a group of terrorists on the same evening and claimed 2 terrorists were either killed or wounded. Troops suffered no casualties in the incident.
Troops engaged in search operations in the area removed 256 AP mines, uncovered 18 hand grenades and 2 improvised bombs.
Limited offensives are continuing.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Troops advance amid heavy artillery fire; heavy casualties to LTTE in yesterday's clashes
According to the recapitulated military reports received from battlefronts troops had achieved several important victories over the terrorists in yesterday's (April 30) clashes. Also, a significant change in LTTE's response to the military onslaught was observed yesterday as the terrorists started to fire large number of heavy artillery towards the army forward defence lines (FDLs).
In the Jaffna theatre of battle, troops engaged LTTE bunkers from Muhamalai, Kilaly and Nagarkovil frontiers using small arms, rocket propeller grenades and mortars at several occasions. Ground troops claimed at least 7 LTTE cadres were killed or wounded during these clashes. Also, snipers deployed on the Muhamalai front claimed one terrorist was killed.
On the Wanni theatre of battle, troops advanced from all three frontiers, i.e. Mannar, Vavuniya and Welioya, amid heavy artillery barrages and battling against anti personal mines and booby traps.
On the Vavuniya front, troops had several clashes with the terrorists in Palampiddi and Valliyappalai areas throughout the day and claimed 8 terrorists were killed and at least 2 others wounded. Further, one soldier was killed 9 others suffered injuries due to anti personal mine explosions and improvised bomb explosions while advancing into the LTTE dominated areas in the Muttiramadittakulam, Palampiddy, Kallikkulam , and, Palaimoddai areas. Two more soldiers were killed and another suffered injuries due to a pressure mine explosion in the Panichchakkulam area last evening.
Day's most fierce clashes occurred when Army infantrymen on the Mannar front marched in to the terror defences in the Veppankulama area and pushed own defences about 1.5 km into the terror dominated territory. In daylong clashes occurred in the area troops captured terror based named "Selvi". Radio transmissions among LTTE units revealed that 26 LTTE cadres were killed and 18 others wounded in this incident. Also, 8 soldiers suffered injuries. Separately, snipers deployed in the Veddayamurippu area claimed to have killed 2 terrorists on the same day evening. Four soldiers suffered injuries due to terror mortar fire while consolidating their defences in the Karunkandal area.
On the Welioya front, troops marching into the Mullaittivu LTTE heartland came across heavy artillery fire that prevailed from morning to evening. Troops also retaliated to the attack using heavy artillery and rockets. 4 soldiers were killed and another injured due to terror artillery fire directed at the North of Janakapura. Another soldier suffered injuries due to improvised bomb explosion in the same area. Monitored radio transmissions among LTTE units confirmed 2 LTTE cadres were killed and 16 others injured in the army retaliatory fire. Meanwhile, troops engaged in clearing operations removed 127 anti personal mines .
Limited operations are continuing.
Related News:
Pressure mine explosion kills two soldiers
LTTE's "18 Base" falls to troops; 42 terrorists killed, 38 wounded - Mannar
In the Jaffna theatre of battle, troops engaged LTTE bunkers from Muhamalai, Kilaly and Nagarkovil frontiers using small arms, rocket propeller grenades and mortars at several occasions. Ground troops claimed at least 7 LTTE cadres were killed or wounded during these clashes. Also, snipers deployed on the Muhamalai front claimed one terrorist was killed.
On the Wanni theatre of battle, troops advanced from all three frontiers, i.e. Mannar, Vavuniya and Welioya, amid heavy artillery barrages and battling against anti personal mines and booby traps.
On the Vavuniya front, troops had several clashes with the terrorists in Palampiddi and Valliyappalai areas throughout the day and claimed 8 terrorists were killed and at least 2 others wounded. Further, one soldier was killed 9 others suffered injuries due to anti personal mine explosions and improvised bomb explosions while advancing into the LTTE dominated areas in the Muttiramadittakulam, Palampiddy, Kallikkulam , and, Palaimoddai areas. Two more soldiers were killed and another suffered injuries due to a pressure mine explosion in the Panichchakkulam area last evening.
Day's most fierce clashes occurred when Army infantrymen on the Mannar front marched in to the terror defences in the Veppankulama area and pushed own defences about 1.5 km into the terror dominated territory. In daylong clashes occurred in the area troops captured terror based named "Selvi". Radio transmissions among LTTE units revealed that 26 LTTE cadres were killed and 18 others wounded in this incident. Also, 8 soldiers suffered injuries. Separately, snipers deployed in the Veddayamurippu area claimed to have killed 2 terrorists on the same day evening. Four soldiers suffered injuries due to terror mortar fire while consolidating their defences in the Karunkandal area.
On the Welioya front, troops marching into the Mullaittivu LTTE heartland came across heavy artillery fire that prevailed from morning to evening. Troops also retaliated to the attack using heavy artillery and rockets. 4 soldiers were killed and another injured due to terror artillery fire directed at the North of Janakapura. Another soldier suffered injuries due to improvised bomb explosion in the same area. Monitored radio transmissions among LTTE units confirmed 2 LTTE cadres were killed and 16 others injured in the army retaliatory fire. Meanwhile, troops engaged in clearing operations removed 127 anti personal mines .
Limited operations are continuing.
Related News:
Pressure mine explosion kills two soldiers
LTTE's "18 Base" falls to troops; 42 terrorists killed, 38 wounded - Mannar
STF foils LTTE infiltration attempt at Kebathigollawa; two terrorists killed
Sri Lanka police Special Task Force (STF) personnel foiled an LTTE attempt to infiltrate the Kabethigollawa area this morning (May 1). Two terrorists and two police commandos were killed in this incident.
According to the defence sources, the police commandos were targeted in a claymore attack around 6.45 am while engaged in a routine route clearing patrol, along the newly established forward defence in Dutuwawa. The two STF personnel were killed due to the explosion.
The STF personnel retaliated immediately, killing two LTTE cadres. One T-56 riffle has been found during the subsequent search, the sources said.
Following the successful accomplishment of its mission in the East, the STF was redeployed in the Wanni theatre, particularly to provide security for the civilian villages endangered by terrorist attacks. LTTE terrorists have killed thousands of innocent civilians living in Kebathigollawa, Dutuwawa, Yakawawa, and other villages in number of village massacres, bus bombs, claymore bombs and mass executions during its 3 decades of terrorist campaign against Sri Lankan citizens.
According to the defence sources, the police commandos were targeted in a claymore attack around 6.45 am while engaged in a routine route clearing patrol, along the newly established forward defence in Dutuwawa. The two STF personnel were killed due to the explosion.
The STF personnel retaliated immediately, killing two LTTE cadres. One T-56 riffle has been found during the subsequent search, the sources said.
Following the successful accomplishment of its mission in the East, the STF was redeployed in the Wanni theatre, particularly to provide security for the civilian villages endangered by terrorist attacks. LTTE terrorists have killed thousands of innocent civilians living in Kebathigollawa, Dutuwawa, Yakawawa, and other villages in number of village massacres, bus bombs, claymore bombs and mass executions during its 3 decades of terrorist campaign against Sri Lankan citizens.
Navy seizes 815 gelignite sticks with five persons, van and mortar bike - Puttalam
A Sri Lanka Navy seized five persons with a stock of 815 gelignite sticks from the Palavi area, Puttalam which were being prepared to be smuggled.
The stock of gelignite, the five persons including three Muslims, two Sinhalese the van and the motor bike involved have been handed over to the Puttalam Police for further investigations.
Courtesy : MCNS
The stock of gelignite, the five persons including three Muslims, two Sinhalese the van and the motor bike involved have been handed over to the Puttalam Police for further investigations.
Courtesy : MCNS
Army recovers explosive devices from Mannar area
The Army recovered a stock of several types of LTTE terrorist explosive devices when conducting two search operations in the Mannar sector on Wednesday (30).
Troops recovered the explosive devices given below from the Veppankulam area, Mannar around 1.00 in the afternoon.
Anti - personnel mines 11
"Booby" traps 02
Claymore mines 01
The Army also recovered a cunningly improvised "Booby" Trap from a 81 mm mortar bomb from the Ilanthaiban area, Mannar on Wednesday (30).
Courtesy : MCNS
Troops recovered the explosive devices given below from the Veppankulam area, Mannar around 1.00 in the afternoon.
Anti - personnel mines 11
"Booby" traps 02
Claymore mines 01
The Army also recovered a cunningly improvised "Booby" Trap from a 81 mm mortar bomb from the Ilanthaiban area, Mannar on Wednesday (30).
Courtesy : MCNS
Pressure mine explosion kills two soldiers
One terrorist was killed and two were injured during a confrontation with Troops in the Vallipale area, Vavuniya on Wednesday (30) in the morning around 10.00 while in the evening around 5.30 two soldiers traveling in an Army tractor were killed and another was injured due to the explosion of a terrorist pressure mine in the Panichchankulam area, Vavuniya.
Meanwhile a soldier on duty was injured in the Kallikulam area in the morning around 8.20 on Wednesday due to anti- personal mine explosion. While eleven (11) anti - personnel mines were recovered by Troops conducting during a search operation from the same area Kallikulam around 9.00 in the morning.
Courtesy : MCNS
Meanwhile a soldier on duty was injured in the Kallikulam area in the morning around 8.20 on Wednesday due to anti- personal mine explosion. While eleven (11) anti - personnel mines were recovered by Troops conducting during a search operation from the same area Kallikulam around 9.00 in the morning.
Courtesy : MCNS
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)