Two die in election related violence in south

[TamilNet, Saturday, 05 March 2011, 23:23 GMT]
Two persons said to be supporters of the ruling United peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) were shot dead and four others were seriously injured Friday in Galle, down south of the country when two groups of the ruling party clashed for preferential votes in the forthcoming local election for Rathgama Predesiya Saba.

The incident took place at Pereliya in Galle, two weeks ahead of the local election that is scheduled to be held on March 17, according to the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), an election monitoring group.

PAFFREL sources said that the intra-party election related violence is on the increase in the districts of Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Anuradhapura and Galle Meanwhile in other incident the main opposition United National party (UNP) rally held at Walasmulla in Hambantota district was attacked by a group of persons said to be supporters of the ruling UPFA party.

UNP parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa, son of the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa was addressing the rally when the attack took place. Some vehicles were damaged.

In the third incident the election rally of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) was attacked by a group of persons of another constituent of ruling party at Akkaraippattu while SL Justice Minister in the UPFA government was addressing.

The attack was carried out by a group of persons said to be supporters of another Muslim Minister in the UPFA government.

Police personnel who were providing security to the rally did not take any action against the attackers, according to a media statement issued later by the SLMC headquarters.

The SLMC recently extended its support to the UPFA and had obtained ministerial deputy ministerial posts.