Special security measures adopted in Sri Lanka elections

The Sri Lankan Army would be deployed in all four administrative districts in the North Central and Sabaragamuva (south eastern) provincial council elections to be held on Saturday, according to election watchdog here Thursday.

The deputy chief of People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Rohana Hettiarachchi said that the Commissioner of Elections had assured them special security measures.

"The Commissioner said every possible step would be taken to ensure a free and fair poll. This would mean the deployment of the Army to ensure security and action to annul polling in any of polling station marred by violence or malpractice", Hettiarachchi said.

The election watchdog groups have blamed all major contesting parties for the breakdown of law and order in the areas.

The opposition groups have blamed the police for inaction which had led to the high level of violence.

The two snap elections are held to elect provincial councils for the two provinces for a five year period.

Analysts say the elections are meant to test the public approval of the Sri Lankan government's current military thrust against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels.

Extracted from,
http://calibre.mworld.com/m/m.w?lp=GetStory&id=318553381