UNP accuses SL Government of plans to sabotage Jaffna poll

[TamilNet, Monday, 14 November 2005, 17:55 GMT]
The main opposition United National Party (UNP) Monday charged Sri Lanka government of trying to disrupt a just and fair presidential poll in Jaffna district by sending nearly three hundred Sri Lanka Army (SLA) deserters to the district. Brigadier Sarath Munasinghe, former spokesperson for the SLA, addressing a press briefing Monday, said that the government has obtained the support of a paramilitary Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) activist to sabotage the poll.

The main contest for the executive presidency is between Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, UNP and Opposition Leader, and the Prime Minister Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse.

Eleven other candidates are standing for the election.

"We have documents and other evidence to prove government's attempt to disrupt the poll in the Jaffna district. Government leaders have planned to send about three hundred army deserters to Jaffna by private commercial flights. Some senior officials of the three armed forces are also involved in the sabotage attempt," Mr.Sarath Munasinghe said.

The UNP leadership has taken steps to lodge complaints with the Commissioner General of Elections, heads of three armed forces, and the Election Monitoring Committee, he further said.