CaFFE Election Report # 45

CaFFE special press release on the clash opposite Sirikotha UNP HQ

No protection for main opposition HQ - Police inaction leads to bloodshed `

Campaign for Free and fair Elections (CaFFE) condemned the organized and calculated attack on
United National Party (UNP) HQ, Sirikotha in Pitakotte.
After the announcement of the common candidate, the main opposition and its activities were
disturbed with violence, intimidation, disruptions and sabotage and CaFFE considers the attack on
Sirikotha is the climax of these activities.
The incident occurred around 10.20 am today (24) when the UNP was holding a conference of
Eksath Adhayapana Sewaka Sangamaya (United Education Services Workers Union) and a meeting
of grassroots UNP activists.
The attack was carried out by the Federation of National Organizers (FNO) an umbrella
organization of Minister Wimal Weerawana, a main spokesman of the government. The FNO had
organized this to protest the Ranil-Maithri Secret Pact. Around 125 persons gathered opposite
Sirikotha and chanted slogans demanding the UNP to reveal the secret MoU. The FNO called the
UNP a traitorous group. Hearing the shouting UNP activists who were inside the HQ arrived and a
heated argument ensued.
Then the FNO supporters began attacking the UNP HQ and around 2000 UNP supports inside
Sirikotha retaliated. The UNP supporters were also able grab hold of two of the assailants who were
later assaulted by the UNPers.
The FNO protest was announced by media. The UNP conventions were also a much publicized
event. So police was aware that the two sides might clash but they did not take any action to
prevent the lives and property of the UNP.
Although police did not take any action against the FNO supporters when they commenced the
attack, they were quick to protect them when it became obvious that UNP supporters were
overpowering the FNO supporters. The police were well equipped with riot gear but they did not
use this to disperse the FNO supporters who initiated the attack. The FNO supporters who
retreated to a by lane opposite the UNP HQ were allowed to escape through a back road. They
were seen heading towards Nugegoda in several vehicles belonging to several institutions of the
Ministry of Housing and Construction.

Several assailants were injured; these include several senior Ministry of Construction officials.
CaFFE notes that this is not the first time that police inaction has led to violence. Police took no
action to stop attacks on opposition activists in many parts of Sri Lanka including Eppawala,
Hambantota and Haputale. However they were quick to respond when opposition activists
retaliate.
The election monitor noticed with dismay of what transpired in Wanduraba where OIC of the area
had to resign because local politicians did not allow him to carry out his duties and maintain his
dignity. When CaFFE made the allegation that Deputy Minister Hon. Nishantha Mutuhettigama
secured the release of three of his supporters who were suspected of burning common opposition
candidate Maithripala Sirisena by obstructing the police, Police Spokesman denied the claim stating
that the suspects were properly presented to court. In addition after the OIC resigned the
Spokesman called him Coward who failed to carry out his duties, ignoring the ground realities.
Police were not allowed to carry out their duties in Wanduraba and it is only due to social pressure
that some action was taken against the perpetrators.
CaFFE urges law enforcement authorities to take necessary action to minimize election violence and
the political authorities to allow policemen to carry out their duties.

Media Unit - CaFFE

Dec. 24th, 2014 3.45pm