Police arrested a person carrying printed and marked ballot papers of the opposition candidate Sarath Fonseka

Pettah Police yesterday arrested a three-wheel driver and an accomplice of an ex-Muslim parliamentarian, while carrying printed and marked ballot papers in two cardboard boxes, opposite to the Pettah Fish Market.

When contacted, T.C.K.P. Piyantha, OIC of Pettah police, told Asian Tribune, that his officers in civil, who were involved on a surveillance duty stopped a three-wheeler on suspicion and found the accomplice of an ex-Muslim Parliamentarian carrying two cardboard boxes.

When the police on suspicion opened the boxes, they found printed ballot papers already marked for the 'Swan' symbol that belonged to the opposition candidate Retired General Sarath Fonseka.

Pettah police OIC said that carrying printed and marked ballot papers was illegal and an offence under section 56 of the election law.

He said that he has sought the advice of the Attorney General’s Department and said he will be producing in the courts today the person who was carrying the boxes. He also said that the three-wheeler driver will be released after obtaining his statement.

According to Piyantha there was more than 30,000 printed and marked ballot papers in those boxes and they are now searching for the ex-Parliamentarian for questioning. He said the ex-parliamentarians who owns the building at the Wolfhendal street, from where it was alleged that cardboard boxes containing printed and marked ballot papers were loaded in the three-wheeler, is at present away in Vavuniya.

He also said that according to the statement of the MP’s accomplice, he was taking the two cardboard boxes to be loaded in a motor-lorry to take them to Puttalam area for distribution.

- Asian Tribune -