EC wants armed groups disarmed

31 July 2012 02:00 am - 6 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Amid allegations that armed groups are operating in the East, the Elections Department has written to Police Chief N.K. Ilangakoon directing him to have the weapons issued to some political parties or individuals returned to the police, officials said yesterday.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has raised concerns that its candidates and supporters in the East were under threat from some groups which support the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA).

When asked for a comment, Additional Elections Commissioner R.M.A.L. Ratnayake said such a situation had prevailed at the beginning but it had been brought under control.

“However, if weapons have been issued to some political parties or individuals, we want the Police Chief have them returned ahead of the election,” he said.

Meanwhile, the US said it hoped the provincial council elections would be free and fair and pledged it would support the democratic process here.
A US embassy spokesman told Daily Mirror that his Government hoped that Sri Lankans would select the leaders of their choice through transparent and fair elections.

The spokesman was responding to a query about allegations that there were barriers to free and fair elections, particularly in the East.
When asked for a comment, Bernard Savage who is the European Union High Commissioner for Sri Lanka and Maldives said the Union fully supported open, free and transparent elections in the world as a whole.

“What we are saying is not something particularly meant for Sri Lanka,” he said.

After a visit to the east, Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya is expected to meet representatives of political parties on August 3, to take stock of the situation in the East. (Kelum Bandara)

Order Gifts to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Vegetables, Grocery, Flowers, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Sending Money,Online Books, Delivery Service, Food Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop Sri Lanka

Comments - 6

Calistus Jayatilleke Tuesday, 31 July 2012 07:38 AM

These armed groups have always been there at every election and they are the key to win "free and fair" elections for the UPFA within the framework of the Five Star Democracy being practised by us.

Manik Tuesday, 31 July 2012 08:19 AM

Let us see what happens.

Naga Ramalingam Tuesday, 31 July 2012 03:11 PM

Armed groups should be disarmed once and for all. We cannot allow the country to go back to gun culture. US is facing a string of gun violence because of easy access to guns.

TNA did not raise their voice against gun violence in the past, and if they did this situation would not have arisen.
It is time that everyone should consustently work against this menace.

CHANDRAPALA Tuesday, 31 July 2012 03:17 PM

Thanks for implementing of NATO policy (No action talk only) instead of Independent Election Commission.

Azmi Tuesday, 31 July 2012 04:51 PM

EC, is very good dramatic actor from the beginning people realise

Mr. B Wijeyasingha Tuesday, 31 July 2012 08:21 PM

Mr. Bernard Savage should be reminded that Sri Lanka is the oldest Democracy in Asia and know quite well about the election process

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

EC wants armed groups disarmed

Comments - 6

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

Jeevan sets a record as Lanka’s youngest-ever Cabinet Minister

TNA was Born in 2001 Due to Elections Shock of 2000

Pain and punishment

Health System in the emergency room

Canada’s targeted sanctioning of Gota and Mahinda

SC judgement on Easter attack: Court rules negligence stood in the way of avoiding most heinous crime

Lasantha was a Fearless Editor who Spoke Truth to Power

Most Viewed in News

IMF tells govt. to tax all those who earn above Rs.45,000 per month

UPDATE - Seven dead, several people injured in Thurstan College bus accident

Court issues order preventing IRD collecting APIT from judges

Grade 5 Scholarship Exam results likely this week

Teenage couple who could not marry over birth certificate issue, committs suicide

Bride turns into Mike Tyson and bites off husband’s ear for having beer with friend

TODAY'S HEADLINES

CA quashes Health Minister’s decision

SL Army earns over Rs. 1.5 b for nation-building tasks in 2021

Bride turns into Mike Tyson and bites off husband’s ear for having beer with friend

IMF insists on prior actions to be completed for programme approval however tough they are

MIRROR CRICKET

Hasaranga, Ranaweera in ICC T20I teams of the year

U19 Women’s captain Vishmi Gunaratne registers for WIPL

Royal, St. Peter’s declared joints champions

Milestone man Kohli leads India to record ODI win by 317 runs

Navy SC pull off win with late burst in thriller

Sri Lanka Baseball set to face Nepal in opener

Navy Targets Top Four

Thisara Perera to play Legends League in Qatar