The Commissioner of Elections,
Elections Secretariat,
Rajagiriya.
Dear Sir,
Originating election violence
We have received reports that the UNP has planned to attack their
candidates employing their own party men during the campaign for General
Election 2004, and place the blame on the JVP and UPFA. Already deserters
from Government Security forces and members of underworld gangs have
been mustered around a few UNP candidates to carry out this ‘project’.
We expect to present a detailed account of the relevant candidates
and the gangs of thugs around them in the near future.
Meanwhile, the UNP has also planned a campaign to fabricate false
charges against candidates contesting under UPFA, get them arrested
and bring them disrespect. This plan is to be triggered off at police
stations where pro-UNP OICs are based by offering them millions in
bribes. The aim of the UNP is to create an extremely terrifying state
of terror during the last two weeks of campaigning, specially during
the final week and place the blame on UPFA and the JVP. They hope
to receive the sympathy of the Nation through this.
Also, UNP has decided to create violent situations in or around polling
booths which are situated in areas advantageous to UPDA and prevent
counting of votes that are polled at these polling booths.
Specially, the UNP has planned to attack the temples inhabited by
the Buddhist Priests contesting the General Election and place this
blame too on our Alliance and our Party and also get the priests themselves
to make statements to that effect. I would like to emphasize that
we have received this true information from very reliable sources.
Hon. Commissioner of Elections,
According to the 17th amendment to the Constitution you have the authority
to give orders to the Police. We believe that you would take timely
action to have authority over the police to prevent the acts of conspiracy
we have mentioned earlier. It is your responsibility, specially, to
create a situation where the higher officials of the police are not
accessible for these unscrupulous elements to make use of them for
illegal acts by giving bribes. We hope you would apprise the IGP of
this too.
We should be able to accept the verdict of a free and just election.
But the UNP which possesses a massive financial power and thug power
is readying itself to dirty the election with bribes and violence.
We would like to emphasize that we would be supportive of any just
decision taken by you to prevent this vile deed.
Thank you.
Yours truly,
M.Tilvin Silva
(General Secretary)
People’s Liberation Front (JVP)
01.03.2004.
