Government uses thugs to suppress UNF –UNP Organizer Daya Gamage

The Government Ministers and politicians canvassing for President Mahinda Rajapaksa by resorting to violence in Ampara district. These politicians are with thugs with sophisticated and dangerous weapons to suppresses UNF party supporters in the area , while UNF campaign is conducting in a peaceful manner without breaking any election laws, said UNP Chief Organizer Daya Gamage.

Therefore, UNF does not want to stoop into that level. These acts of violence by the Government is a clearly evident of General Sarath Fonseka victory on January 26, Gamage told at a media conference at Ampara on Monday. The media conference was organized to enlighten the media personnel on the government's behaviors in the election campaign.

He said up to now 21 UNF party offices, 15 houses and three vehicles have been attacked and destroyed by UPFA supporters and more than 32 UNF supporters have been attacked and hospitalized .

The police in the areas gives police protection to President Rajapaksa's cutout while removing General Fonseka's cutout and green flags. Meanwhile, people in the area now suffering from fear psychosis as many state sponsored thugs with weapons roaming in the area not only in white vans but also in black and white colored Defender type jeeps to attack UNF supporters and its party offices, he  said.

A leading UPFA supporter in Ampara runs a meditation center known as “Metha Society”  This center trains/conducts meditation for more than 3000 persons during the day time. While in the night those people engaged in pasting and removing posters and cutout in favour of President Rajapaksa, Gamage said.

It is said that more than 37 persons attached to Anti Drug Unit have been deployed for election work with Government/public funds. The district Ministers and politicians in the area deployed more than 385 SLTB buses to transport people to President Rajapaksa's recently concluded rally in Ampara town, while Metha Society members brought to these rallies by pledging that they are to be recruited to Civil Defense Force.

UNF supporters are not allowed to go to Akkariapathu area for election campaigning  due to the state terrorism rampant in the area.This would be the biggest threat  after Prabakaran's  terror outfit, he said .