President orders tighter security

17 January 2010 10:59 am - 23 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered the police to step up security ahead of the presidential elections after a second political activist was shot dead this month, an official said Sunday.

The ruling party supporter was killed on Saturday in the north-western Puttalam district where several others were injured when they clashed with opposition activists, police said.

President Mahindra Rajapakse expressed his sadness over the second campaign-related death and urged police to ensure a peaceful run-up to the January 26 vote, his spokesman Chandrapala Liyanage said.

"The president is deeply concerned about the violence and has already ordered police to make sure that there is tighter security," Liyanage told AFP. "He is also appealing to all parties to ensure there is no violence."

Opposition activist Kusuma Kuruppuarachchi, 60, was the first to be killed in the poll campaign when he was shot in the southern town of Hungama last week.

Police also fired tear gas to disperse thousands of party workers in the eastern town of Polonnaruwa after mobs destroyed vehicles and buildings.

Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has accused Rajapakse's People's Alliance of inciting violence and using intimidation to swing voters. (AFP)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 23

Monday, 18 January 2010 01:21 AM

Dear President,

I think ordering tighter security is the most ineffective way to do it. If you really want to stop violence, you asking the citizen (your and opposition party supporters) not to terrorize others is the effective way. And you need to show by example.

Your non-performance is the reason for the violence. Nothing else. What the police can do is almost nothing.

Nimmi

Monday, 18 January 2010 10:19 AM

for whom

Monday, 18 January 2010 10:01 AM

President superiority is protected all but next superiority should come to sarth N silva in future elections

Monday, 18 January 2010 09:14 AM

The electioneering can be reduced to a fortnight if electronic voting machines are used and every house be provided a TV with the money spent on posters to enable coverage of the candidates' speech. After all our Sri Lanka is not a big nation, it is like a Shanghai municipality in China or Calcuttta in India. Why need so much mud slinging, hatred and violence?

Monday, 18 January 2010 08:14 AM

before asking the police to tighten the security of the country please ask your ministers to stop the violence then everything will be ok u do not need to waste public funds on security you first controll your staff

Monday, 18 January 2010 06:05 AM

A of this moment its three deaths, 2 UNP and 1 UPFA

Monday, 18 January 2010 06:03 AM

Dear President, you says terrorism is no more, but we don't feel it. Can't a person have a different political view? Please don't let this country go to hell.

Monday, 18 January 2010 05:21 AM

MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVEN`T SAID STOP VIOLENCE, BUT STEP UP SECURITY. THAT`S THE IDEA. WHAT EVER WORDS YOU USE , YOU MEAN .BY HOOK OR BY CROOK , WIN THE ELECTIONS.

Monday, 18 January 2010 04:13 AM

Appreciate very much for the move

Monday, 18 January 2010 03:41 AM

president it is big joke

Monday, 18 January 2010 03:28 AM

Fire under the water!

Monday, 18 January 2010 03:23 AM

HE , more violence in your side ....

Sunday, 17 January 2010 11:15 AM

We know how UNP regime handled the election with thugs, they are the people who introduced many bad things to this election system, bringing the thugs in to politics and thuggery politics were children of UNP regime. We felt sorry about still it continues under this regime too. There were no any big violences in past elections but now it is popping up. Taking first hand right and rigid solution will help to conduct peaceful election.

Sunday, 17 January 2010 09:15 PM

I suppose these are the last minute desperation by some candidate to win the poll....

Sunday, 17 January 2010 09:13 PM

Who is telling whom?

Sunday, 17 January 2010 06:46 PM

King slept till it happened to his party member.

Sunday, 17 January 2010 03:26 PM

good move at this juncture,who dare election commisioner's order

Sunday, 17 January 2010 02:37 PM

Leaders lead, Others Follow.

Sunday, 17 January 2010 02:15 PM

Tight security ordered only after a ruling party activist got killed!

Sunday, 17 January 2010 01:20 PM

Not necessary Sir....
Country is peaceful !.

Sunday, 17 January 2010 12:43 PM

No Comments!!!

Sunday, 17 January 2010 12:16 PM

Looks genuine on the surface but the question is "what is the instruction given in between the lines?" we will come to know from the police action at the next incident. Sadly, we are unable to believe anything coming from him as he let us all down in our hope to see a law abiding, corruption free, religious tolerance island.

Sunday, 17 January 2010 11:43 AM

yes sir we know about you. we are with you. you are the peoples president.

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.

President orders tighter security

Comments - 23

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Sri Lanka weighs Open Skies amidst plans for national carrier privatization

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Gota fires back at Cardinal, rebuts allegations

MIRROR CRICKET

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Foreign powers intensify surveillance on Presidential elections as strategic interests take centre stage

New uterine loop for monkey birth control

Sajith avoids reception hosted for Iranian President

Do not be afraid to use weapons, Minister Alles tells police

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Dates confirmed for 78th Bradby Shield

SLAS appoints independent committee for investigation

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand