JVP denies killing UPFA supporter
April 7, 2010 07:31 am
An allied party of the opposition led by the former
military chief in
The post mortem of a supporter of President Rajapaksa-led United People Freedom Alliance (UPFA) was held in the north western province of Sri Lanka where campaigning for the general election ends on Monday.
Jeevan Jayawardena (23), a supporter of North Central Provincial Council chairman RD Wimaladasa, was shot dead on Sunday night following a clash between two rival political groups.
Mr. Wimaladasa told BBC Sandeshaya that supporters of the local organiser for Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), AD Sumanadasa, was responsible for the killing.
‘Most violent weekend’
However, Mr. Sumanadasa, categorically denied the accusation.
The JVP contest the general elections from Democratic National Alliance (DNA).
It is the first reported election-related killing after the announcement of 08 April general elections while election monitors expressed serious concern over pre-election violence.
Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) SK Senananayaka conducting the post mortem examination has concluded that the victim was shot at point blank range.
Election monitors say that the weekend was the most violence in the run up to the elections.
Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon, spokesman for Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) told BBC Sandeshaya that most of the violence recorded were intra-party.
The ruling coalition led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is
expected to consolidate the hold on power for the second consecutive term.
BBC
