Sri Lanka's election-related death toll rises to four - Summary

Colombo - A supporter of Sri Lanka's ruling party was killed in a hand grenade attack on a party office in the country's north- west on Monday, bringing the death toll in election-related violence ahead of the presidential poll to four, police said Monday. According to police, the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) supporter was killed in Kurunegala in the evening when the office located close to a deputy minister's residence came under attack by suspected opposition supporters.

The incident came less than 24 hours after an opposition party activist was clubbed to death in the same district.

The activist with the main opposition United National Party was putting up posters in favor of presidential candidate and former army commander Sarath Fonseka was killed Sunday night in Wariyapola, 90 kilometers north-west of Colombo.

The opposition blamed supporters of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is running for a second term in the January 26 elections.

No arrests were made in either incidents.

Last Tuesday a female UNP supporter was killed when a bus traveling to a party meeting Tuesday in southern Sri Lanka was sprayed with gunfire, while a youth supporting Rajapaksa was killed in the north-west.

Police and election monitors have said that more than 700 incidents have been reported since nominations were accepted in mid- December.

The election campaign has been stepped up by both main parties in the final week.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/304482,sri-lankas-election-related-death-toll-rises-to-four--summary.html.