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March 17, 2002. Hon. John Amaratunga, MP, My dear Minister, Deployment of the Armed Forces in connection with the Local Government Elections – March 2002 I have received reports from all over the country that there is general intimidation of PA candidates and their supporters by UNP candidates and their supporters during the on-going campaign for Local Government Elections scheduled to be held on 20.03.2002. These cases of intimidation involve among others, many acts of violence and arrest and locking up of PA supporters on false allegations. In several cases bombs have been thrown at their residences thereby causing, injury to people and damage to property. Judging by what happened after the 2001 General Elections, which recorded the largest number of cases of election-related violence ever, the Peoples Alliance and I, as the President, have no faith in the Police with regard to their capability to maintain law and order and act independently and impartially, with cases of election-related violence. In this connection, I wish to mention that during the 2001 General Election, the Police did not act independently as regards complaints of violence lodged by PA candidates and their supporters with the Police. In many instances, complaints were neither recorded nor inquiries proceeded with and suspects arrested. In some cases, no action had been taken by the Police even after 2 ½ months of the complaints being lodged. In the circumstances, the Peoples Alliance had to go to the Supreme Court by way of filing FR applications seeking redress for the victims of election violence. As such the ability of the Police in acting independently and impartially in relation to cases of election violence is in serious doubt. Accordingly, the Peoples Alliance and I, as the President, consider that the armed forces should be deployed to assist the police during the current election. We consider that they should be deployed at least two days prior to the election to assist the Police in maintaining law and order. I have already discussed this matter with the Commissioner of Elections who is prepared to make a recommendation to me in this regard upon receipt of a request to that effect from the IGP in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 104 D of the 17th amendment of the Constitution. I have also discussed this matter with the three Service Commanders and the Senior DIG, Mr. T. E. Anandarajah in the absence of the IGP. The Commanders are willing to give whatever assistance required by the Police. I am told that when the IGP discussed with you, you have told that it would not be necessary at this time to call out the forces. I am surprised by this, because during the period of the PA Government, whenever the UNP made such requests when it was in the Opposition, I as the President, acceded to them. Considering the matters referred to earlier in this letter, the Peoples Alliance and I, do not believe that the Police will be allowed to act independently by Govt. Ministers during the current elections. I therefore strongly recommend that the three Forces be called out to assist the Police during the Local Government Elections to enable them to take up positions in the relevant areas at least by the morning of 19th March. I wish to emphasise that a decision regarding this will have to be taken today. I look forward to your cooperation regarding this matter. Yours sincerely, Sgd./- Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga cc: Hon. Ranil Wickramasinghe, Prime Minister - for information
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