*** URGENT ACTION NEEDED ****
Date: 14 January 1999
Violence against left leaders in Sri Lanka
Leaders of the New Left Front (NLF), Dr Vickramabahu Karunaratne
(General Secretary of the Nava Sama Samaja Party - NSSP), comrade
Patrick Fernando (the candidate for the post of Chief Minister in
the Wayaba provincial council elections) and comrade Nishantha,
their driver, were brutally assaulted by thugs who came in
motorcycles decorated with flags of the Peoples Alliance - the
ruling coalition - on January 13, 1999 around 10pm in Padeniya
Kurunegala, a town situated about 80 km from Colombo.
The leaders were returning from a public rally held in Kobeigane
in support of the NLF candidates contesting the Provincial
Council elections for the Wayaba province which is scheduled to
be held on January 25, 1999. The thugs had followed the vehicle
carrying the leaders since they left the public meeting and
attacked them when they stopped for tea at Padeniya town.
As a result of this attack, the leaders sustained grave injuries
for which they were treated at Kurunegala teaching hospital.
While Dr Vickramabahu along to Nishantha had to be removed from
the Kurunegala hospital in view of the security situation,
Patrick Fernando is still being treated for head and eye injuries
in the teaching hospital, ward 31. A complaint has been lodged at
the Wariyapola police station regarding the incident.
This incident has come at a time where violence has escalated
between the ruling Peoples alliance and the United National Party
which is now being directed against the candidates of the
combined left represented by the parties of the NLF and the
Peoples Liberation Front (JVP). The JVP too has reported numerous
attacks on their candidates during the recent past. The NSSP has
been particularly targeted by the chauvinistic elements of the PA
and other parties because it has called for unconditional talks
with the LTTE to resolve the North-East issue.
We hold the government totally responsible for this state of
violence. It has not only failed to control their supporters but
has been unable to provide adequate security and create a
peaceful atmosphere to conduct a democratic election.
We therefore request you to bring this information to the notice
of all relevant organisations throughout the region. Send protest
letters to President Chandrika Kumaratunga and general Anurudha
Ratwatte, Deputy Minister of Defence,
1. To protest against this attack and requesting to take adequate
measures to stop any further attacks on the candidates of the
left parties.
2. To conduct an impartial inquiry into this incident and punish
those responsible for this brutal attack.
The relevant addresses are as follows:
H E Chandrika Bandaranayaka Kumaranatunga
Her Excellency the President of the Democratic Republic of Sri
Lanka
Presidential Secretariat
Colombo 1
Sri Lanka
Tel: 94-1-436371
Fax: 94-1-333703
General Anurudha Ratwatte
Deputy Minister of Defence
Ministry of Defence
15/5 Baladaksha Mawatha
Colombo 3
Sri Lanka
Tel: 94-1-445699
Fax: 94-1-439380
Please send copies of your letters to the NSSP, 143 Kew Rd,
Colombo 2, Sri Lanka. Fax: 94-1-334822 or 94-074-713308.
Dr Sunil Ratnapriya
On behalf of the International Affairs Committee
Nava Sama Samaja Party, Sri Lanka
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