Police ignored orders from Polls Chief: CAFÉ

14 October 2011 04:30 pm

Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CAFÉ) today accused the police of having ignored the instructions given by Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya to provide adequate security in Kolonnawa and this had resulted in tragic events on the polling day.

CAFÉ Executive Director Keerthi Tennakoon said Mr. Deshapriya had instructed the Elections DIG to provide adequate security in the area after he received several complaints about the growing tension in the area.
The instruction sheet sent by the polls chief had said a Colombo District United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP applying undue pressure on the voters at several polling stations including Kadulla, Wadulwatte, Jana Sabha, Kelanipura and Kambi Kotuwa on the polling day.

Mr. Deshapriya had also instructed the returning officer in the area to take this matter into consideration before the counting.

Mr. Tennakoon said the Mulleriyawa tragedy could have been avoided if the instructions given by Deshapriya was followed. (Yohan Perera)