JVP takes 18 Sinhalese speaking election monitors to the Tamil speaking Kilinochchi district

VIjitha Herath, the JVP Parliamentarian was stopped for questioning by the police who was travelling with Sinhalese speaking ex Army soldiers to monitor the election in the Tamil speaking Kilinochchi district.

Vijitha Herath, a leading JVP leader was travelling with a busload of 40 people, out of whom 18 were retired Army personnel and were stopped at Ierapperiakulam, Vavuniya for questioning.

When the police questioned about the purpose of the Sinhalese speaking 18 army personnel with him in the bus, it is learnt that Vijitha Herath MP has responded as they were election monitors, for the Tamil speaking Kilinochchi district.

The JVP parliamentarian was travelling also together with former Presidential candidate Channa Gamage who is supporting General Sarath Fonseka.

After questioning by the Police Vijitha Herath and others were allowed to proceed to Kilinochchi.

In the meantime, The Centre for Free and Fair Elections (CAFÉ) one of the many election monitoring organizations, reported that in Jaffna four explosions took place yesterday night and nobody knows the nature of this explosions.

It was also reported and confirmed that a hand grenade was explored near the Mayor’s office(Nallur) in Jaffna, and an explosion near the market place in Viyaparamoolai in Point Pedro.

According to CAFE report that the voters in Jaffna are coming to vote and a peaceful environment prevails in Jaffna and so far about 20 percent of the voters have come out to vote by now.

Furthermore, according to another CAFÉ report, Gampaha, Katana, Kotugoda, Divulapitiya and Ambalanmulla are some of the areas reported of minor incidents.

The Peoples Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) also reported that there were no major incidents this morning.

In the meantime yesterday evening, Gokarella Police in the Kurunegala district have arrested 20 Army soldiers believed to be supporters of the opposition Presidential Candidate General Sarath Fonseka. Police are investigating whether they have come for unlawful activities in the area during the election period.

It is learnt that the police are in the process of verifying whether they are Army deserters or army personnel who are still in the service.

- Asian Tribune –