The Sri Lankan police have made significant arrests today (14th) in connection with violations related to the parliamentary election. A total of 51 individuals have been taken into custody across 20 districts. Among those arrested, two candidates from Kalpitiya and Vavuniya were detained for their involvement in illegal election activities.
The majority of those arrested are accused of engaging in unlawful election campaign activities. These violations include attempting to influence voters through bribery, taking unauthorized photographs inside polling stations, and tearing up or destroying ballot papers. There have also been reports of physical altercations, which have contributed to the disturbances at polling centers.
In addition to these offenses, one election official has been removed from duty. This individual was found to have acted improperly when asked to assist a voter during the election. Instead of following the prescribed procedures, the official made decisions that violated the rules. This led to their removal from active duty to ensure that the election process remained fair and free of any further interference.
Police spokesperson, Nihal Thalduwa, confirmed that such actions are being closely monitored to maintain the integrity of the voting process. He emphasized that only those with proper authorization would be allowed into the counting centers. In particular, police have made it clear that any individual who arrives intoxicated, even if they have permission to be present, will be barred from entering the vote-counting areas. This measure is intended to ensure that the counting process is conducted under orderly and secure conditions, without any disruptions.
The police have also stepped up efforts to curb vote buying, with several arrests made for offering financial incentives to voters in exchange for their votes. This practice is illegal and undermines the fairness of the election process. The authorities are committed to prosecuting anyone found guilty of such actions.
Furthermore, strict rules on the use of mobile phones and cameras inside polling stations have been enforced. Unauthorized photography, which can lead to voter intimidation or manipulation, has been met with immediate action by the authorities. The police are working with election monitors to ensure that no one is allowed to interfere with the privacy and security of voters.
The government has issued a clear message to all involved in the election process: any attempts to undermine the integrity of the vote will be met with swift action. The police have pledged to continue their vigilance, ensuring that election laws are adhered to and that the democratic process remains untainted by unlawful influence.
