Full Text of 2010 Presidential election petition filed in courts on behalf of Gen.Sarath Fonseka
Sarath Fonseka,No. 6, 37th Lane, Queen’s Road, Colombo 3. And presently detained at
The Navy Headquarters, Colombo 1.
PETITIONER S.C. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PETITION NO. /2010 Vs.
1. Mahinda Rajapaksa,
“Temple Trees”, Galle Road, Colombo 3.
2. Mohomed Casim Mohomed Ismail, No 118, Soysa Watta, Welisara, Ragama.
3. Achala Ashoka Suraweera, Susiri Place, Muruthalawa.
4. Channa Janaka Sugathsiri Gamage, No 51, Piliyandala Road, Maharagama
5. W. V. Mahiman Ranjith, No. 3, 34th Lane, Queen’s Road, Colombo 3.
6. Anura Liyanage, No. 7, Sumner Place, Colombo 8.
7. Sarath Manamendra, No. 50, Ketawalamulla Lane, Colombo 9.
8. M.K.Sivajilingam, Ammankoviladi, Velvetithurai.
9. Ukkubanda Wijekoon, No. 24/6, 4th Lane, Pitakotte, Kotte.
10. Lal Perera, No. 7/9B, Sewana Mawatha, Gangabada Road, Suwarapola, Piliyandala.
11. Sirithunga Jayasuriya, No. 57/7, D.S. Fonseka Road, Colombo 5.
12. Wickramabahu Karunarathne, No. 17, Barrack Lane, Colombo 2.
13. Idurus Mohomed Ilyas, No 68, Masjid Road, Puttalam.
14. Wije Dias, No. 301 1/1, Main Road, Aththidiya, Dehiwala.
15. Sanath Pinnaduwa, No. 240/1 D, Boralugoda, Athurugiriya.
16. M.M. Mohomed Musthafa, No 16, Ramakrishna Road, Colombo 6.
17. Battaramulla Seelarathana Thero, No 185/B, Dewala Road, Thalangama South, Koswatta, Battaramulla.
18. Senarathne De Silva, No 5/B, Webada Road, Negombo.
19. Aruna de Soysa, “Susiri”, Nape, Kosgoda.
20. Upali Sarath Kongahage, No. 02, Community Road, Obehena Road, Madiwela.
21. Muthubandara Theminimulla, No. 3/1, Sanghamitta Mawatha, Kandy.
22. Dayananda Dissanayake, Commissioner of Elections, Elections Secretariat, Sarana Mawatha, Rajagiriya.
23. Razik Zarook PC, 31/1 Horton Place, Colombo 7.
24. Kalinga Indatissa, 325 1/2, Thimbirigasyaya Road, Colombo 5.
25. Hudson Samarasinghe, Chairman, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Torrington Square, Colombo 7.
26. Wimal Weerawansa, 21/1, Asoka Mawatha, Jayanthipura, Battaramulla.
RESPONDENTS
TO: HIS LORDSHIP THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE OTHER HONOURABLE JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA.
On this 15th day of February 2010.
The Petition of Sarath Fonseka the Petitioner above named, whose name is subscribed below, respectfully states as follows:
1. The Petitioner, Sarath Fonseka, is a person who was a candidate at the above election, and claims to have had a right to be returned or elected at the above election.
2. Consequent to a Proclamation made under Article 31 (3a))(a)(i) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, an Election for the office of President of the Republic of Sri Lanka was held on the 26th day of January 2010. The candidates who contested the said election are those whose names are set out hereinafter at paragraph 4, namely, the Petitioner and the 1st to 21st Respondents above named.
3. The 1st Respondent above named, who was the candidate nominated by the United People’s Freedom Alliance (hereinafter referred to as the UPFA), was declared elected in terms of Section 56 of the Presidential Elections Act No. 15 of 1981, by Gazette Extraordinary No. 1,638/10 dated 28th January 2010 issued under the hand of the 22nd Respondent, Commissioner of Elections, notifying the result of the said Election.
4. Set out hereunder are the votes polled by each of the candidates who contested at the said election, as declared by the 22nd Respondent, Commissioner of Elections:
5. The 22nd Respondent is made a party hereto in view of the averments hereinafter contained in respect of the conduct of the said Election.
6. The 23rd, 24th, 25th & 26th Respondents have been made parties hereto as they have committed the corrupt practices as pleaded in paragraphs 16(B) & 16(C) hereof as agents of the candidate, the 1st Respondent. The 20th Respondent has already been made a party hereto and also has committed the corrupt practices as pleaded in paragraphs 16(B) & 16(C) hereof as an agent of the candidate, the 1st Respondent.
GROUNDS
7. The Petitioner states that the Election of the 1st Respondent to the Office of President of Sri Lanka is void and/or undue on any one or more of the following grounds:
(a) That by reason of the occurrence of the incidents and the commission of the acts set out in paragraph 8 hereof, there was General Intimidation as stated in Section 91 (a) of the Presidential Elections Act, by reason of which the majority of voters were or may have been prevented from electing the candidate whom they preferred, namely, the Petitioner.
(b) That by reason of the occurrence of the incidents and the commission of the acts set out in paragraph 9 hereof, there was General Treating as stated in Section 91 (a) of the said Act, by reason of which the majority of voters were or may have been prevented from electing the candidate whom they preferred, namely, the Petitioner.
(c) That by reason of the occurrence of the incidents and the commission of the acts set out in paragraph 10 hereof, there was General Bribery as stated in Section 91 (a) of the said Act, by reason of which the majority of voters were or may have been prevented from electing the candidate whom they preferred, namely, the Petitioner;
(d) That by reason of the occurrence of the incidents and the commission of the acts set out in paragraphs 11 and 12 hereof, which constitute other misconduct and other circumstances as stated in Section 91(a) of the said Act, by reason of which the majority of voters were or may have been prevented from electing the candidate whom they preferred, namely, the Petitioner;
(e) That by reason of the Non-Compliance with the provisions of the said Act relating to the Election as stated in Section 91 (b) of the said Act, for the reasons set out in paragraph 13 hereof, the aforesaid Election was not conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the provisions of the said Act, and that Non-Compliance affected the result of the Election;
(f) That by reason of the corrupt practices as set out in paragraph 14 hereof, the 1st Respondent is guilty of the corrupt practice of treating under Section 77 read together with Section 91(c) of the Presidential Elections Act.
(g) That by reason of the corrupt practices as set out in paragraph 15 hereof, the 1st Respondent is guilty of the corrupt practice of bribery under Section 79 read together with Section 91 (c) of the Presidential Elections Act.
(h) That by reason of the corrupt practices set out in paragraph 16(A) hereof, the 1st Respondent is guilty of the corrupt practice of making false statements under Section 80(l)(c) read together with Section 91 (c) of the Presidential Elections Act.
(i) That by reason of the corrupt practices set out in paragraphs 16(B) & 16(C) hereof, the said agents of the 1st Respondent named therein, namely the 20th, 23rd, 24th, 25th & 26th Respondents, are guilty of the corrupt practice of making false statements under Section 80(1)(c) read together with Section 91 (c) of the Presidential Elections Act.
8. GENERAL INTIMIDATION : CONCISE STATEMENT OF MATERIAL FACTS ON WHICH THE PETITIONER RELIES
There was general intimidation committed in connection with the election. This consisted of acts of intimidation. These acts of intimidation are set out below.
DATE OF COMPLAINT DISTRICT & ELECTORATE INCIDENT/COMPLAINT
23.12.2009 – Puttalam / Chilaw – Wife of UNP Janabala Secretary M D Jude Nishantha assaulted by unknown thugs requiring medical attention in Mundel Hospital for head injuries. Complaint made to Mundel Police.
24.12.2009 – Kurunegala/Alawwa – Dec. 20, 2009: Group of UNP workers campaigning for the Petitioner were assaulted by unknown thugs in Alawwa Town early morning. Police action not taken.
24.12.2009 – Ratnapura/Kalawana – UNP Local Government Group Leader Shayanaka Molligoda’s Tippers bearing Nos. SGLA 7913 and SLGE 0096 stoned by UPFA thugs. Complaint made to Kalawana Police about 10 persons who were involved in stoning. No action taken by Kalawana Police.
24.12.2009 – Vanni/Vavuniya – Group of unknown UPFA workers unlawfully entered the IDP Camp at Settikulam and threatened the refugees and demanded that they vote for the 1st Respondent or else that they all will be killed if they campaign for the Petitioner.
24.12.2009 – Matale/Dambulla – UNP Office at Kumbukkandanwela damaged by unknown thugs. UNP Janabala workers threatened with death. Incident reported to Sigiriya Police but no action taken.
24.12.2009 – Matale/Dambulla – UNP Election office at Kumbukkadawala has been attacked by UPFA thugs.
24.12.2009 – Ratnapura/Kalawana – Shooting at and stoning the two Tippers belonging to Jayanatha Molligoda PS Member of Kalawana and a complain has been made to the Kalawana Police.
24.12.2009 – Vanni/ Vavuiyawa – A group of persons who came from Colombo entered the camp illegally, got the inmates of the Ananda Kumaraswami IDP Camp to gather at one place and threatened to kill them unless they vote for the 1st Respondent.
26.12.2009 – Hambantota/Tangalle – Dec. 25 night: UPFA thugs have damaged the residence of W A Francis at Weeraketiya, Hakuruwela, active supporter of the Petitioner. Estimated damage to premises around Rs.75,000/- and ejected the residents. Complaint to Weeraketiya Police.
28.12.2009 – Polonnaruwa/Polonnaruwa – Inspector Polonnaruwa Police has requested that all Police Officers/Policemen to bring at least ten Civil Defense persons to be involved in the election campaign of the 1st Respondent.
29.12.2009 – Kalutara/Bandaragama – During the protest staged in Bandaragama on the arrest of Rev. Dambara Amila Thero, UPFA thugs attacked the protestors and injured over 10 of the protestors causing hospitalisation due to injuries. Complaint made at Police Station Bandaragama.
29.12.2009 – Mahanuwara/Nawalapitiya – H.M. Manjula Bandara of Nawalapitiya has been attacked by thugs roaming about intimidating the voters.
30.12.2009 – Matara/Matara – Petitioner’s party office maintained by local UNP workers, attacked at 01.30 a.m. by UPFA thugs who came in a white van. Offenders have shot into the air with weapons and chased off the party workers who were in the office.
30.12.2009 – Matara/Matara – UNP Election offices situated at Makevita and Nagaha Junction has been attacked by thugs who came in white vans around 1.30 in the morning.
31.12.2009 – Anuradhapura/Mihintale – Rathnapala, resident at Sivalakulama, Puliyankulama in the Galenbindunuwewa electorate has been shot at using a firearm issued to farmers and caused damages. These firearms may be used for further election violence.
02.01.2010 – Gampaha/Kelaniya/ Kiribathgoda – Attack by thugs on SF supporters engaged in canvassing the voters legally.
03.01.2010 – Gampaha/Wattala – Attacking PS Member Malcolm Perera while he was riding a motor bicycle by a group of thugs of the UPFA who came in vehicle number GG-6677.
03.01.2010 – Colombo/Kelaniya – Attacking the group of people who were engaged in canvassing for SF in Kiribathgoda in Kelaniya and damaging vehicles by unknown thugs.
03.01.2010 – Kandy/ Nawalapitiya – Attack by an armed gang of over 100 persons on about 150 persons who were engaged in the distribution of Petitioner supporters who were canvassing for the Petitioner.
10-1-2010 – Galle/Hikkaduwa – A. G. Sirisoma was attacked and assaulted by unknown persons.
11-01-2010 – Galle/Hiniduma – UNP Pradeshiya Sabha Members, namely, Premalal Liyanage, Mangala Liyanage, P. Widuramarasinghe, M. Dayaratne were assaulted causing injuries and damaged the vehicle by PA thugs.
11-01-2010 – Galle/Karandeniya – Office in Mahagoda, Madakumbura, Kekiriya Junction, Mandorawala, Kurundugaha, Uragasmanhandiya were attacked and damaged.
11-1-2010 – Galle/Karandeniya – UNP supporter Hewage Nuwan was assaulted by UPFA thugs.
11-01-2010 – Gampaha/Minuwangoda – Election Office that was operated at the house of Leelananda Padmasiri in Medagampitiya, Divulapitiya was attacked and destroyed.
12-1-2010 – Hambantota/Beliatta – House of Senanayaka was damaged using firearms.
12-1-2010 – Kurunegala/Galgamuwa – R. Piyadasa was assaulted.
12-1-2010 – Batticaloa/Kalkuda – Hand Grenade was thrown and Kalkuda exploded.
13-01-2010 – Polonnaruwa/Minneriya – M.G. Wasantha, Prematissa, Kamani Kulawardena were assaulted.
13-1-2010 – Polonnaruwa/Polonnaruwa – A.M. Somadasa was assaulted and his home and lorry were damaged.
13-01-2010 – Matale/Dambulla – Election Office of Petitioner at No. 786 B, Dambulla – Anuradhapura was attacked and damaged for six times.
13-1-2010 – Colombo/Kolonnawa – UNP supporters were assaulted by UPFA thugs in White Van.
14-01-2010 – Kurunegala/Dodamgaslanda – UNP Office was attacked and damaged by UPFA thugs.
14-01-2010 – Kandy/Kundasale – UNP supporter D.K. Nawaz was intimidated through a telephone call.
14-01-2010 – Colombo/Kolonnawa – UNP Urban Council Member Kamal Jayakody and his supporters were assaulted and were hospitalised.
14-01-2010 – Matara/Kamburupitiya – UNP Election Office was attacked and damaged.
14-01-2010 – Moneragala/Wellawaya, Habawa-luwewa – UNP Office was attacked and damaged.
14-01-2010 -Hambantota/Beliatta – M.Dayasena, D.D. Ranjith, V.A.K. Sarath, S. Agampodi, H.K. Chaminda Ariyapala and Gunadasa were assaulted causing injuries and some of them were hospitalised. Houses of Upali Palihakkara, Arman Perera, Dananjaya Senanayake were attacked and damaged. Election Office in Vijayasiripura, Godawela, Kambussawela were attacked and damaged. Kusumawathie Kuruppuarachchi, mother of 2, was shot dead on the way from a meeting of the Petitioner’s supporters and others got injured in Tissamaharamaya.
14-01-2010 -Polonnaruwa/Medirigiriya – Election office at Divutakkadawela was attacked and one Chandrasekara who was there was assaulted causing injuries.
15-01-2010 – Galle/Ambalangoda – UNP Polling Agent D.M. Darshana was assaulted and was hospitalised
15-01-2010 – Polonnaruwa/Polonnaruwa – UNP supporter K. Prasad Hemantha’s House and Rice Milt was attacked and damaged by UPFA thugs.
15-01-2010 – Kegalle/Kegalle – Public Meeting was attacked by UPFA thugs.
15-01-2010 – Galle/Karandeniya – Eight Election Offices of the Petitioner in operation in Karandeniya were destroyed
-Kandy/Naula Menikhinna – Petitioner’s supporter Siththi Basha’s house was attacked and destroyed.
15-01-2010 – Kandy/Kundasale – Election Offices were attacked.
-do- – Nawalapitiya – Chairman of Vtakadeniya UNP branch office was assaulted causing injuries
-do- Matara/Matara – Parliamentarian Sagala Rathnayake’s Office in Matara was attacked and destroyed. Police entries have been made.
16-01-2010 – Balangoda – Area residents of Viliyawaththa. threatened by UPFA thugs
16-01-2010 – Anuradhapura/Horoupathana – Election Office of the area was attacked and damaged. A. Dinapala was assaulted by unidentified persons
16-01-2010 – Anuradhapura/Nochchiyagama – Three wheeler of Nishantha Sujeewa Bandara was damaged
16-01-2010 – Puttalam/Anamaduwa – U.N.P. Pradeshiya Saba Member R. M. Ajantha Sadaruwan’ shop and Petitioner’s Office was set on fire and destroyed by people using T56 guns.
16-01-2010 – Polonnaruwa – Houses of D.G. Ranasingha, H.A. Darmarathne, S. K. Kulawardana, Miss M.S. Kamani Kumari, Sunil Senarathna, Fedrick Punchi Hewa, Nevil Wera Kumara, K. Premathilaka, T.M. Jayalath, Wasantha Kumara were attacked and damaged by thugs on 13th and 14th of January 2010.
16-01-2010 – Polonnaruwa/Polonnaruwa – House of UNP National Youth Front Nilanka Punchihewa was set on fire.
16-01-2010 – Anuradhapura/Kalawewa – Petitioner’s Election Office at Kalunduwa Thambuththegama, Rajanganaya Road was attacked and destroyed.
-do- Colombo/Kolonnawa – House of the Chairman of Urban Council was attacked, UC Member’s hose attacked. And Opposition Leader of Kotikawaththa-Mulleriyawa was attacked and damaged.
-do- Gampaha/Biyagama – UNP activist, Sirisena Panawala’s house was attacked and inmates were intimidated.
17-01-2010 – Batticaloa/Padiruppu – Eleven supporters of Sarath Fonseka were assaulted by UPFA thugs.
17-01-2010 – Rathnapura/Rakwana – U.N.P. supporter H.N. Hemadasa’s house was attacked and valuable goods were destroyed by unknown gangs
17-01-2010 – Gampaha/Attanagalla – Fifteen incidents were reported in this area from 16-12-2009 to 12-01-2010 (destroying cutouts of Sarath Fonseka, attacking supporters houses by P.A. supporters)
17-01-2010 – Puttalam/Kalpitiya – Patrick Perera a supporter of Sarath Fonseka was assaulted by People’s Alliance supporters and hospitalised with injuries.
17-01-2010 – Rathnapura/Rakwana – Sarath Fonseka’s Election Office was destroyed and those who were there were taken as hostages.
17-01-2010 – Kurunegala/Kurunegala – Election Office at Major. Milton Gunawardana’s building was destroyed.
17.01.2010 – Anuradhapura/Kalawewa – PA thugs came in three vehicles( Nos. 54- 5830 black Fargo, 51-0786 White Town ace and 325-3356 Double Cab) and caused damages to property of Petitioner’s supporters.
17.01.2010 – Galle/Ambalangoda – The house of Harrison Petitioner’s supporter, living behind the Police station at Ambalangoda had been attacked by a group of thugs of the PA. They have assaulted the inmates of the house too. 5 people of this house had been hospitalised.
17.01.10 – Kandy/Ududumbara – On 16th January 2010 the Artist returning after meeting caused damages to the UNP Office situated at Hasalaka in front of the house of Y.A.Piyadasa travelling in vehicle.
No.32 Sri 1352. They also threatened the wife of Piyadasa.
17.01.10 – Anuradhapura/Thambutthegama – Several thugs attacked the UNP Office at Ragina Junction at Thambutthegama and also attacked the record bar close to the UNP office and robbed money and the items belonging to the ‘record bar.
17.01.10 – Kandy/Hasalaka – The Security Inspector of the CTB Depot at Hasalaka one Mr. R M P G Navaratne assaulted by thugs.
17.01.10 – Anuradhapura/Talawa – At about 1 p.m. Lakshman Jayatilleke of Talawa, Gangasiripura was not well and resting at home when threatened by UPFA thugs, who also robbed the cash in the house.
18.01.10 – Kurunegala/Wariapola – On 18.01.2010 between 12 and I am at Ambakadawara Kanatte Wewa, Wariapola. about 15 thugs of the UPFA had assaulted some supporters of General Sarath Fonseka and killed one Dammika Herath by hitting him with iron rods on the head.
18.01.2010 – Kegalle/Aranayake – The owner of Rajapaksa stores and two of his brothers, Petitioner’s supporters, had been assaulted and they have taken treatment from the hospital.
18.01.10 – Gampaha/Mahara – On 17.01.2010 at about 2.30 a.m. the house of Mr. KBSM Jayasiri which is situated at Rodahenawatta, Henagama was stoned and the roofing sheets were damaged.
18.01.10 – Kurunegala/Mawathagama – At about 1. a.m. a crowd of thugs had come armed with weapons to the house of Mr. Ajith Rohana, the Chief Organiser of the UNP situated at Wellawa Maha kandegama and threatened the people in the house with death and caused damages.
18.01.10 – Kurunegala/Mawathagama – About 50 thugs came in 3 vehicles to the Nape Junction at Mawathagama and caused damages to the Office of Petitioner.
19.01.10 – Kandy/Gampola – The UNP Office at No.42 Angammana, Gampola or TB Panabokke Mawatha, had had been attacked by some thugs and two cut-outs of General Fonseka and the electrical switches damaged.
19.01.20 – Galle/Elpitiya – JVP MP Mr. Gamlath had been assaulted at Gurugodella in Elpitiya by some thugs.
19.01.10 – Hambantota/Mulkirigala – The Blue Brigade members are terrorising the supporters of Sarath Fonseka and threaten to assault them and damage their houses.
19.01.10 – Kurunegala/Bingiriya – On the 16th night a group of thugs assaulted UNP supporters at Bingiriya.
19.01.10 – Matale/Matale – One Lingeshwaran alias TS Weerasinghe Igneswaran who was attending to propaganda work with regard to the meeting which was held on 15.01.10 in support of Gen. Fonseka complained that her husband did not return home after the meeting. The next day his body was found near the rail track in Kandy having been brutally assaulted and murdered
19.01.10 – Polonnaruwa/Dimbulagala – The Office of Petitioner at Dimbulagala Siripura had been attacked.
19.01.10 – Kandy/Nawalapitiya – During the afternoon supporters of Gen Fonseka who were attending to canvassing work in Kurunduwatta Galpaya Nawalapitiya had been assaulted by some PA thugs.
19.01.10 – Kandy/Wattegama – Threats caused to the UNP and JVP supporters working at the CTB depot.
19.01.10 – Jaffna/Kilinochchi – Two people who had been supporting Gen Fonseka in the election campaign had been assaulted by thugs.
19.01.10 – Badulla/Mahiyangana – Jayawardene of Mahapitiya village had been abducted by some PA thugs.
20.01.10 – Colombo/Kaduwela – At about 1.10 am a crowd of people who came in 3 vehicles attacked the election office of the UNP at 112, Bomiriya, Kaduwela and caused damages to the office and robbed several item.
20.01.10 – Trincomalee/Trincomalee – UPFA thugs threatening voters.
20.01.10 – A’pura/Nochchiagama – H Kusumawathie a SF supporter of No 64 Rathanapala Mw, Nochchiagama complains that at 2 am a group of thugs vandalised her shop.
20.01.10 – Galle/Hiniduma – A meeting to be held with police permission in the Nagoda District has been obstructed by UPFA supporters by destroying the decorations and posters.
21.01.10 – Gampaha/Wattala – On the 20th night some people in a white van ha arrived at the Wattala and Ja ela area and have taken the polling cards of the residents by force.
21.01.10 – Kurunegala/Alawwa – PA thug has been terrorising UNP supporters by carrying a T81 weapon in a threatening manner.
22.01.10 – Digamadulla/Pottuvil – MP Chandradasa Gatappathi and MP Wasantha Piyatissa were distributing election leaflets from Ampara to Akkaraipattu, Tirukovil and Pottuvil just before the Akkaraipattu town when attacked by UPFA thugs.
22.01.10 – Galle/Hiniduma – Sampath Srilal and about 20 others were injured and were taken to the Hiniduma hospital.
22.01.10 – Gampaha/Kalagedihena – EA Siripala of Sapugastenne, Kalagedihena and Namatissa along with some friends were assaulted by an unknown group of people when they went canvassing for SF.
22.01.10 – Batticaloa/Nth/Sth – UPFA thugs intimidating the voters in Puttalam north and south areas.
22.01.10 – Ratnapura/Ratnapura – On the night of the 21st., 12 thugs forced themselves into the houses of the Hakamunwa village. They tore the polling cards and threatened the voters with death if they voted.
22.01.10 – Trinco/Trinco – UPFA thugs terrorising the supporters of the General in the Kappalthurai and Ambuvelupuram areas. District organisers Sivapathan and Polling officer T Vimaleshvari have been threatened with death.
22.01.10 – Matale/Matale – On the night of the 21st RP Dayananda’s residence at Rathgammanman Madawela had been looted and ransacked. He is now in Colombo in fear for his life.
22.01.10 – Kalutara/Horana – To day the following offices of the General have been attacked: Handapangoda, Bathugampola, Mahaingiriya, Ingiriya, Maputugala.
22.01.10 – Digamadulla/Ampara – For the security of the Polling stations in the Digamadullla District, female Police
22.01.10 – Colombo/Kotte – Tiran Alles’ house was bombed. This was done by the UPFA thugs
22.01.10 – Polonnaruwa/Polonnaruwa – On the 17th Jan., some people arrived in vehicle Nos.32 Sri 4010 and 50-2040 to attack the UNP office and the residence at Galtalawa.
23.01.10 – A’pura/Mihintale – AB Arunolis of Ipologama Eppawala was visited by 25 thugs at about 11 p.m. He was told not to work for the General or else he would be killed. They caused minor damage and left.
23.01.10 – Kegalle/Deraniyagala – Petitioner’s offices at Tigala, Dehiowita, Udugampola and Ahettigama were burnt to the ground by UPFA thugs.
23.01.10 – Badulla/Hali-Ela – The UNP Hathakma and Ketawela offices were burnt and destroyed on the night of the 22nd.
23.01.10 – Kalutara/Agalawatte – Petitioner’s office at Urugoda has been destroyed by some people.
26.01.10 – Kandy/Nawalapitiya – School UPFA thugs chased away identified UNP Sarath Fonseka voters at the following polling stations. 1. Dolosbage Junior School, 2. Alagolla Junior School, 3. Senadhikari Junior School, 4. Yatapaana Junior Schoo, l 5. Galpaya.
9. GENERAL TREATING : CONCISE STATEMENT OF THE MATERIAL FACTS ON WHICH THE PETITIONER RELIES
There was general treating committed in connection with the election. The said acts of treating, consisted of the providing and serving food and drink, free of charge. The treating was done by the 1st Respondent, and his servants and agents acting on his instructions.
The treating was done at:
(a) “Temple Trees”, the officially designated residence of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka which was illegally occupied by the 1st Respondent as one of his several residences and used as his election campaign office;
(b) President’s House in Kandy; and
(c) President’s House in Anuradhapura.
The treating was done between 23rd November 2009 (date of Proclamation of the election) and 26th January 2010 (date of Election.)
The treating was of the groups of electors mentioned below. Each of the above events had at least 3,000 participants. Some of the Public Officers so treated were officials directly involved in the election process such as Police Officers, Public Sector Trade Union members, and even members of the Attorney General’s Department.
These acts of treating are set out below.
7th December 2009 – Recipients of Swarnabhoomi Deeds – Temple Trees
8th December 2009 – Mediation Board officers – Temple Trees
10th December 2009 – Children of Samurdhi beneficiary families – Temple Trees
10th December 2009 – Officers of the State Education Sector – Temple Trees
11th December 2009 – Members of the Women Lawyers’ Association – Temple Trees
12th December 2009 – Attorneys-at-Law (including those from the Attorney General’s Department) – Temple Trees
13th December 2009 – Police Officers – Temple Trees
14th December 2009 – Trade Union members – Temple Trees
14th December 2009 – Artistes – Temple Trees
15th December 2009 – Dairy Farmers – Temple Trees
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Mahinda Rajapaksa (1st Respondent) 6,015,934 57.88%
Sarath Fonseka (Petitioner) 4,173,185 40.15%
Mohomad Cassim Mohomad Ismail 39,226 0.38%
Achala Ashoka Suraweera 26,266 0.25%
Channa Janaka Sugathsiri Gamage 23,290 0.22%
W.V. Mahiman Ranjith 18,747 0.18%
Anura Liyanage 14,220 0.14%
Sarath Manamendra 9,684 0.09%
M.K. Sivajilingam 9,662 0.09%
Ukkubanda Wijekoon 9,381 0.09%
Lal Perera 9,353 0.09%
Sirithunga Jayasuriya 8,352 0.08%
Wickramabahu Karunaratna 7,055 0.07%
Idroos Mohomad Ilyas 6,131 0.06%
Wije Dias 4,195 0.04%
Sanath Pinnaduwa 3,523 0.03%
Mohamed Musthaffa 3,134 0.03%
Battaramulle Seetarathana Thero 2,770 0.03%
Senaratna de Silva 2,620 0.03%
Aruna de Zoysa 2,618 0.03%
Sarath Kongahage 2,260 0.02%
M.B. Theminimulla 2,007 0.02%
Valid Votes 10,393,613 99.03%
Rejected Votes 101,838 0.97%
Total Polled 10,495,451 74.49%
Registered Electors 14,088,500
January 11 – Nawalapitiya – Chairman of Vtakadeniya UNP branch office was assaulted causing injuries
-do- Matara/Matara – Parliamentarian Sagala Rathnayake’s Office in Matara was attacked and destroyed. Police entries have been made.
16-01-2010 – Balangoda – Area residents of Viliyawaththa. threatened by UPFA thugs
16-01-2010 – Anuradhapura/Horoupathana – Election Office of the area was attacked and damaged. A. Dinapala was assaulted by unidentified persons
16-01-2010 -Anuradhapura/Nochchiyagama – Three wheeler of Nishantha Sujeewa Bandara was damaged
16-01-2010 – Puttalam/Anamaduwa – U.N.P. Pradeshiya Saba Member R. M. Ajantha Sadaruwan’ shop and Petitioner’s Office was set on fire and destroyed by people using T56 guns.
16-01-2010 – Polonnaruwa – Houses of D.G. Ranasingha, H.A. Darmarathne, S. K. Kulawardana, Miss M.S. Kamani Kumari, Sunil Senarathna, Fedrick Punchi Hewa, Nevil Wera Kumara, K. Premathilaka, T.M. Jayalath, Wasantha Kumara were attacked and damaged by thugs on 13th and 14th of January 2010.
16-01-2010 – Polonnaruwa/Polonnaruwa – House of UNP National Youth Front Nilanka Punchihewa was set on fire.
16-01-2010 – Anuradhapura/Kalawewa – Petitioner’s Election Office at Kalunduwa Thambuththegama, Rajanganaya Road was attacked and destroyed.
-do- Colombo/Kolonnawa – House of the Chairman of Urban Council was attacked, UC Member’s house attacked. And Opposition Leader of Kotikawaththa-Mulleriyawa was attacked and damaged.
-do- Gampaha/Biyagama – UNP activist, Sirisena Panawala’s house was attacked and inmates were intimidated.
17-01-2010 – Batticaloa/Padiruppu – Eleven supporters of Sarath Fonseka were assaulted by UPFA thugs.
17-01-2010 – Rathnapura/Rakwana – U.N.P. supporter H.N. Hemdasa’s house was attacked and valuable goods were destroyed by unknown gangs
17-01-2010 – Gampaha/Attanagalla – Fifteen incidents were reported in this area from 16-12-2009 to 12-01-2010 (destroying cutouts of Sarath Fonseka, attacking supporters houses by P.A. supporters)
17-01-2010 – Puttalam/Kalpitiya – Patrick Perera a supporter of Sarath Fonseka was assaulted by People’s Alliance supporters and hospitalized with injuries.
17-01-2010 – Rathnapura/Rakwana – Sarath Fonseka’s Election Office was destroyed and those who were there were taken as hostages.
17-01-2010 – Kurunegala/Kurunegala – Election Office at Major. Milton Gunawardana’s building was destroyed.
17.01.2010 – Anuradhapura/Kalawewa – PA thugs came in three vehicles( Nos. 54- 5830 black Fargo, 51-0786 White Town ace and 325-3356 Double Cab) and caused damages to property of Petitioner’s supporters.
17.01.2010 – Galle/Ambalangoda – The house of Harrison Petitioner’s supporter, living behind the Police station at Ambalangoda had been attacked by a group of thugs of the PA. They have assaulted the inmates of the house too. 5 people of this house had been hospitalised.
17.01.10 – Kandy/Ududumbara – On 16th January 2010 the Artistes returning after meeting caused damages to the UNP Office situated at Hasalaka in front of the house of Y.A.Piyadasa traveling in vehicle
No.32 Sri 1352. They also threatened the wife of Piyadasa.
17.01.10 – Anuradhapura/Thambuththegama – Several thugs attacked the UNP Office at Ragina Junction at Thambutthegama and also attacked the record bar close to the UNP office and robbed money and the items belonging to the ‘record bar.
17.01.10 – Kandy/Hasalaka – The Security Inspector of the CTB Depot at Hasalaka one Mr. R M P G Navaratne assaulted by thugs.
17.01.10 – Anuradhapura/Talawa – At about 1 p.m. Lakshman Jayatilleke of Talawa, Gangasiripura was not well and resting at home when threatened by UPFA thugs, who also robbed the cash in the house.
18.01.10 – Kurunegala/Wariapola – On 18.01.2010 between 12 and I am at Ambakadawara Kanatte Wewa, Wariapola. about 15 thugs of the UPFA had assaulted some supporters of General Sarath Fonseka and killed one Dammika Herath by hitting him with iron rods on the head.
18.01.2010 – Kegalle/Aranayake – The owner of Rajapaksa stores and two of his brothers, Petitioner’s supporters, had been assaulted and they have taken treatment from the hospital.
18.01.10 – Gampaha/Mahara – On 17.01.2010 at about 2.30 a.m. the house of Mr. K.B.S.M. Jayasiri which is situated at Rodahenawatta, Henagama was stoned and the roofing sheets were damaged.
18.01.10 – Kurunagala/Mawathagama – At about 1. a.m. a crowd of thugs had come armed with weapons to the house of Mr. Ajith Rohana, the Chief Organiser of the UNP situated at Wellawa Maha kandegama and threatened the people in the house with death and caused damages.
18.01.10 – Kurunegala/Mawathagama – About 50 thugs came in 3 vehicles to the Nape Junction at Mawathagama and caused damages to the Office of Petitioner.
19.01.10 – Kandy/Gampola – The UNP Office at No.42 Angamana, Gampola or TB Panabokke Mawatha, had been attacked by some thugs and two cut-outs of General Fonseka and the electrical switches damaged.
19.01.20 – Galle/Elpitiya – JVP MP Mr. Gamlath had been assaulted at Gurugodella in Elpitiya by some thugs.
19.01.10 – Hambantota/Mulkirigala – The Blue Brigade members are terrorising the supporters of Sarath Fonseka and threaten to assault them and damage their houses.
19.01.10 – Kurunegala/Bingiriya – On the 16th night a group of thugs assaulted UNP supporters at Bingiriya.
19.01.10 – Matale/Matale – One Lingeshwaran alias TS Weerasinghe Igneswaran who was attending to propaganda work with regard to the meeting which was held on 15.01.10 in support of Gen. Fonseka complained that her husband did not return home after the meeting. The next day his body was found near the rail track in Kandy having been brutally assaulted and murdered
19.01.10 – Polonnaruwa/Dimbulagala – The Office of Petitioner at Dimbulagala Siripura had been attacked.
19.01.10 – Kandy/Nawalapitiya – During the afternoon supporters of Gen Fonseka who were attending to canvassing work in Kurunduwatta Galpaya Nawalapitiya had been assaulted by some PA thugs.
19.01.10 – Kandy/Wattegama – Threats caused to the UNP and JVP supporters working at the CTB depot.
19.01.10 – Jaffna/Kilinochchi – Two people who had been supporting Gen Fonseka in the election campaign had been assaulted by thugs.
19.01.10 – Badulla/Mahiyangana – Jayawardene of Mahapitiya village had been abducted by some PA thugs.
20.01.10 – Colombo/Kaduwela – At about 1.10 am a crowd of people who came in 3 vehicles attacked the election office of the UNP at 112, Bomiriya, Kaduwela and caused damages to the office and robbed several item.
20.01.10 – Trincomalee/Trincomalee – UPFA thugs threatening voters.
20.01.10 – A’pura/Notchchiagama – H Kusumawathie a SF supporter of No 64 Rathanapala Mw, Notchchiagama complains that at 2 am a group of thugs vandalized her shop.
20.01.10 – Galle/Hiniduma – A meeting to be held with police permission in the Nagoda District has been obstructed by UPFA supporters by destroying the decorations and posters.
21.01.10 – Gampaha/Wattala – On the 20th night some people in a white van ha arrived at the Wattala and Jaela area and have taken the polling cards of the residents by force.
21.01.10 – Kurunegala/Alawwa – PA thug has been terrorising UNP supporters by carrying a T81 weapon in a threatening manner.
22.01.10 – Digamadulla/Pottuvil – MP Chandradasa Gatappathi and MP Wasantha Piyatissa were distributing election leaflets from Ampara to Akkaraipattu, Tirukovil and Pottuvil just before the Akkaraipattu town when attacked by UPFA thugs.
22.01.10 – Galle/Hiniduma – Sampath Srilal and about 20 others were injured and were taken to the Hiniduma hospital.
22.01.10 – Gampaha/Kalagedihena – EA Siripala of Sapugastenne, Kalagedihena and Namatissa along with some friends were assaulted by an unknown group of people when they went canvassing for SF.
22.01.10 – Batticaloa/Nth/Sth – UPFA thugs intimidating the voters in Puttalam north and south areas.
22.01.10 – Ratnapura/Ratnapura – On the night of the 21st., 12 thugs forced themselves into the houses of the Hakamunwa village. They tore the polling cards and threatened the voters with death if they voted.
22.01.10 – Trinco/Trinco – UPFA thugs terrorising the supporters of the General in the Kappalthurai and Ambuvelupuram areas. District organisers Sivapathan and Polling officer T Vimaleshvari have been threatened with death.
22.01.10 – Matale/Matale – On the night of the 21st RP Dayananda’s residence at Rathgammana Madawela had
been looted and ransacked. He is now in Colombo in fear for his life.
22.01.10 – Kalutara/Horana – To day the following offices of the General have been attacked: Handapangoda, Bathugampola, Mahaingiriya, Ingiriya, Maputugala.
22.01.10 – Digamadulla/Ampara – For the security of the Polling stations in the Digamadullla District, female Police
22.01.10 – Colombo/Kotte – Tiran Alles’ house was bombed. This was done by the UPFA thugs
22.01.10 – Polonnaruwa/Polonnaruwa – On the 17th Jan., some people arrived in vehicle Nos.32 Sri 4010 and 50-2040 to attack the UNP office and the residence at Galtalawa.
23.01.10 – A’pura/Mihintale – AB Arunolis of Ipologama Eppawala was visited by 25 thugs at about 11 p.m. He was told not to work for the General or else he would be killed. They caused minor damage and left.
23.01.10 – Kegalle/Deraniyagala – Petitioner’s offices at Tigala, Dehiowita, Udugampola and Ahettigama were burnt to the ground by UPFA thugs.
23.01.10 – Badulla/Hali-Ela – The UNP Hathakma and Ketawela offices were burnt and destroyed on the night of the 22nd.
23.01.10 – Kalutara/Agalawatte – Petitioner’s office at Urugoda has been destroyed by some people.
26.01.10 – Kandy/Nawalapitiya – School UPFA thugs chased away identified UNP Sarath Fonseka voters at the following polling stations. 1. Dolosbage Junior School, 2. Alagolla Junior School, 3. Senadhikari Junior School, 4. Yatapaana Junior Schoo, l 5. Galpaya.
9. GENERAL TREATING : CONCISE STATEMENT OF THE MATERIAL FACTS ON WHICH THE PETITIONER RELIES
There was general treating committed in connection with the election. The said acts of treating, consisted of the providing and serving food and drink, free of charge. The treating was done by the 1st Respondent, and his servants and agents acting on his instructions. The treating was done at:
(a) “Temple Trees”, the officially designated residence of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka which was illegally occupied by the 1st Respondent as one of his several residences and used as his election campaign office;
(b) President’s House in Kandy; and
(c) President’s House in Anuradhapura.
The treating was done between 23rd November 2009 (date of Proclamation of the election) and 26th January 2010 (date of Election.)
The treating was of the groups of electors mentioned below. Each of the above events had at least 3,000 participants. Some of the Public Officers so treated were officials directly involved in the election process such as Police Officers, Public Sector Trade Union members, and even members of the Attorney General’s Department.
These acts of treating are set out below.
7th December 2009 – Recipients of Swarnabhoomi Deeds – Temple Trees
8th December 2009 – Mediation Board officers – Temple Trees
10th December 2009 – Children of Samurdhi beneficiary families – Temple Trees
10th December 2009 – Officers of the State Education Sector – Temple Trees
11th December 2009 – Members of the Women Lawyers’ Association – Temple Trees
12th December 2009 – Attorneys-at-Law (including those from the Attorney General’s Department) – Temple Trees
13th December 2009 – Police Officers – Temple Trees
14th December 2009 – Trade Union members – Temple Trees
14th December 2009 – Artistes – Temple Trees
15th December 2009 – Dairy Farmers – Temple Trees
20th December 2009 – Invitees to the Fourth Presidential Environmental Awards Ceremony – Temple Trees
21st December 2009 – New Manufacturers Forum – Temple Trees
21st December 2009 – Provincial Council Candidates who were not elected – Temple Trees
22nd December 2009 – Principals & Teachers of Central Province – Kandy President’s House
22nd December 2009 – SLFP Activists in Central Province – Kandy President’s House
23rd December 2009 – Group of UNP dissidents and former members – Kandy President’s House
23rd December 2009 – Invitees to Fourth Convention of Sanasa – Kandy President’s House
23rd December 2009 – Invitees to Meeting of members of Medarata Janatha Front and Kandy District United Front – Kandy President’s House
24th December 2009 – Invitees to Meeting organized by Tharunyata Hetak – Kandy President’s House
24th December 2009 – Invitees to Felicitation of Sportsmen & Sportswomen of the Central Province Presentation of Certificates – Kandy President’s House
24th December 2009 – Kandy Professionals Meeting – Kandy President’s House
27th December 2009 – Invitees to Meeting of members of the Anuradhapura Civil Defence Force – Anuradhapura President’s House
27th December 2009 – Public Service United Nurses Union members – Temple Trees
28th December 2009 – Vocationally trained youth, representatives of Youth Organizations and Sports Associations – Anuradhapura President’s House
29th December 2009 – Invitees to Meeting of Businessmen of the North Central Province – Anuradhapura President’s House
29 December 2009 – Meeting of 5,000 persons who purportedly left UNP & JVP – Anuradhapura President’s House
30th December 2009 – Invitees to Meeting of Teachers of Dhamma Schools and Pre Schools – Anuradhapura President’s House
31st December 2009 – Ayurveda Physicians – Temple Trees
1st January 2009 – Students and Teachers studying Vocational and Industrial Training Institutes – Temple Trees
4th January 2010 – Female Family Health Officers – Temple Trees
4th January 2010 – Persons living around and each were given gifts “Temple Trees” – Temple Trees
5th January 2010 – Handicraftsmen, National Poets Association, Dhamma School Teachers -Temple Trees
8th January 2010 – Meeting of 3,000 representatives of the Community Water Project of Urban Development Ministry members of the Nenasala – Temple Trees
11th January 2010 – Graduates – Temple Trees
10. GENERAL BRIBERY : CONCISE STATEMENT OF MATERIAL FACTS ON WHICH THE PETITIONER RELIES
There was general bribery committed in connection with the election by the 1st Respondent or with his knowledge or consent or by his agents. These acts of bribery took place between 23rd November 2009 (date of Proclamation of the election) and 26th January 2010 (date of Election.) These act of bribery are set out below.
(a) The 1st Respondent increased or caused the increase of salary of State officials (numbering approximately 1 million) by Rs. 2500/- outside the approved Budgetary provisions
(b) The 1st Respondent caused members of the Civil Defence Force to be granted permanency in employment.
(c) Subsequent to the meeting with Police officers at “Temple Trees”, the official residence of the 1″ Respondent on 13-12-2009, Police batta (to approximately 200,000 police personnel) was increased and added to the December 2009 salary.
(d) The “Mediation Board day” was held on the 8th of December 2009 (instead of the scheduled 18th July 2010) at the official residence of the 1st Respondent. More than 3000 people were present, as each mediation board member was requested to attend with ten others. Lunch and cash rewards were given to at( participants.
(e) The Railway Department recruited 650 people from the Matara District as temporary labourers on 23rd November 2009. However, the appointments were backdated to read 17th November 2009 (to circumvent the provisions of Law / guidelines prohibiting such recruitments).
(f) People from Mannar who attended a public meeting in support of the 1st Respondent at the Alankuda Grounds in Kalpitiya were paid Rs. 500/ each by the Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services.
(g) 40 persons nominated by Minister Karuna Amman were employed by the Eratteperiyakulam, Vavuniya Office of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation on or around 21st December 2009 till the conclusion of the poll.
(h) All Officers of the Sri Lanka Fisheries Corporation were promoted with increases in salary with effect from 1st December 2009.
(i) Promotions were effected to persons employed within the National Housing Development Authority by letter dated 10th December 2009.
(j) State officials attached to the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs were granted permanency in service by virtue of circular no. EST-4/PEMNT/03/0201 dated 25th November 2009.
11. OTHER MISCONDUCT OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES: USE OF STATE RESOURCES: CONCISE STATEMENT OF MATERIAL FACTS ON WHICH THE PETITIONER RELIES
There were other misconduct or other circumstances which occurred between 23rd November 2009 (date of Proclamation of the election) and 26th January 2010 (date of Election.) These incidents were also contrary to the Guidelines issued by the Commissioner of Elections dated 8th December 2009, and consisted of the use of State resources towards promoting of the candidature of the 1st Respondent, between the 23rd November 2009 (the date of proclamation of the election) and 26th January 2010 (date of election).
These acts of the use of State resources are set out below.
(a) Use of a large stage belonging to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority for the public rallies promoting the candidature of the 1st Respondent.
(b) Vehicles belonging to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority were deployed to the Southern Province to transport supporters and used for propaganda of the 1st Respondent
(c) 20 Vehicles belonging to the Ministry of Road Development used to transport cut-outs of the 1st Respondent
(d) Use of several hundreds of buses belonging to the Central Transport Board to transport, free of charge, supporters of the 1st Respondent to rallies held right around Sri Lanka in support of his candidature.
(e) Use of Sri Lanka Air Force helicopters to transport family members of the 1st Respondent, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Directors and Heads of Statutory institutions, to public meetings in support of the candidature of the 1st Respondent.
(f) Use of facilities/head office of the Department of Government Information to record the programs promoting the candidature of the 1st Respondent, at the expense of the Department of Government Information.
(g) Public officials employed by, and vehicles belonging to, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority were used during working hours to set up stages for public meetings in support of the 1st Respondent.
(h) The following State institutions sponsored hoardings/ advertisements supporting the candidacy of the 1st Respondent at the places set out below:
– Hoarding at Nugegoda by the State Trading Corporation
– Hoarding at Town Hall (Colombo) by Presidential Secretariat
– Hoarding at Thimbirigasyaya by Presidential Operational Office
– Hoarding at Matara by Southern Development Authority
– Advertisement published in the “Daily News” 24th November 2009 by the Water Supply and Drainage Board
– Advertisement published in the “Daily News” 24th November 2009 by the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration.
– Advertisement published in the Ravaya 20th December 2009 by Board of Investment
– Advertisement published in the Lankadeepa (Sunday) 28th December 2009 by Ministry of Tourism
– Advertisement published in the Divaina 29th December 2009 by Urban Development Authority and Ministry of Urban Development and Sacred Area Development
– Advertisement published in newspapers by Telecommunications Regulatory Authority
– Advertisements published in all newspapers by State Institutions at State expense promoting the candidature of the 1st Respondent.
(i) Contrary to the guidelines issued by the Commissioner of Elections, a senior police officer, on 23rd December 2009, directed the OICs of the District that they should not permit the removal of cut outs of the 1st Respondent.
(j) The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka in violation of the Telecommunication Act and especially section 5 thereof, directed mobile phone operators to transmit a New Year’s Day greeting / message from the 1st Respondent to their respective subscribers (totalling 13.5 million), which message was supportive of the election campaign of the said 1st Respondent. Such facility was not given to the Petitioner although it was requested by the Petitioner.
(k) The following State buildings and vehicles were misused for the election campaign of the 1st Respondent:
Kelaniya – Sri Lanka Transport Board Bus Depot, Peliyagoda – used as campaign office of the 1st Respondent, placards, hoardings, flags displayed within and outside the premises.
Puttalam – Sri Lanka Transport Board Office – used as campaign office of the 1st Respondent.
(l) Propaganda on Government websites in favour of the election campaign of the 1st Respondent, and against the candidacy of the Petitioner (www.gov.lk, www.defence.lk, www.news.lk)
(m) 140 vehicles belonging to the Ministry of Livestock Development, MILCO, State Engineering Corporation, were used in the election campaign of the 1st Respondent.
(n) 220 vehicles belonging to the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka were used in the election campaign of the 1st Respondent.
(o) Officers of the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka were used in the election campaign of the 1st Respondent.
(p) Two schools in the Anuradhapura District (St. Joseph’s College – Primary Section, and Mahabodhi Vidyalaya) were closed to enable the chairs to be used for a Bodhi Pooja to invoke blessings on the 1st Respondent.
(q) 71 security officers / employees attached to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority were released to carry out election work for the 1st Respondent in the Southern Province.
(r) Several serving Ambassadors, diplomats and officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been actively involved in the election campaign of the 1st Respondent white still being officially in State employment.
Hemantha Warnakulasuriya (Ambassador to Italy), Bandula Jayasekera (Consul General – Canada), and M M Zuhair (Ambassador to Iran), Jaliya Wickremasuriya (Ambassador to US), Palitha Kohona (Permanent Representative to the UN), Newton Guanratne (Ambassador to Myanmar), Nihal Jayasinghe (High Commissioner to the United Kingdom) made statements to the print and electronic media, supportive of the candidacy of the 1st Respondent. These persons were based at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for international Relations, Horton Place, Colombo 7, and carried out a campaign for the re-election of the 1st Respondent at state expense. These persons, white in Sri Lanka, continued to receive their official emoluments, and their respective consutates/embassies were compelled to function, until the conclusion of the election, in the absence of a head of mission.
(s) Sub Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa of the Sri Lanka Navy, a son of the 1st Respondent, while serving as an Officer in the Sri Lanka Navy, appeared on the electronic media and at public meetings, making statements supportive of the candidacy of the 1st Respondent.
(t) Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, while serving as Secretary to the Ministry of Defence made statements to the print and electronic media and addressed public meetings, supportive of the candidacy of the 1st Respondent.
(u) Lalith Weeratunga, while serving as Secretary to the President made statements to the print and electronic media and addressed public meetings, supportive of the candidacy of the 1st Respondent
(v) Lakshman Hulugalle, Director General of the Media Centre for National Security, which is not a legally valid office, made statements to the print and electronic media and addressed public meetings, supportive of the candidacy of the 1st Respondent.
(w) W. Karunajeewa Chairman, Chandrasiri de Silva, Director of the Peoples Bank organized the distribution of leaflets at the Colombo Fort Railway Station, World Market, and at the Head office of the People’s Bank, on 6th January 2010, promoting the candidature of the 1st Respondent.
(x) The Commandant of the STF issued a direction to distribute a leaflet directing the officers of the STF to vote for the 1st Respondent.
(y) Lt. General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, made statements to the print and electronic media and addressed public meetings, supportive of the candidacy of the 1st Respondent.
(z) Major General Shavindra Silva, while serving in the Sri Lanka Army, made statements to the print and electronic media and addressed public meetings, supportive of the candidacy of the 1st Respondent.
(aa) Major General S. Manawadu, while serving in the Sri Lanka Army, made statements to the print and electronic media and addressed public meetings, supportive of the candidacy of the 1st Respondent.
(bb) Senior Police officers summoned all police officers of police stations along Galle Road from Colombo – Moratuwa, Gampaha, Negombo, Colombo South, Colombo Central to meetings, at which they delivered a speech canvassing the re-election of the 1st Respondent.
(cc) High officials of at[ the Universities in Sri Lanka including the Vice Chancellors made statements to the print and electronic media and addressed public meetings, supportive of the candidacy of the 1st Respondent.
(dd) Many Heads of State Media, or State controlled media organisations, continued to hold positions within political parties supporting the 1st Respondent, contrary to the Regulation 15 of the “Guidelines to be observed by the Electronic and Print Media in regard to Broadcasting /Telecasting/Publishing of Matters relating to the Presidential Election”, issued on 17th December 2009 by the 22nd Respondent Commissioner of Elections. The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Hudson Samarsinghe, (25th Respondent hereto) is also the SLFP Organiser for the Colombo West Electorate. Deputy General Manager of the Independent Television Network Sudharman Radaliyagoda holds the position of SLFP Organiser for the Kurunegala District. The reviewer of the newspapers for ITN Latith de Silva, functions as an SLFP organizer for the Colombo District. CEO of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Karunaratne Paranavitane is the SLFP organizer for the Ratnapura District. These persons participated in news programs and discussions and used their official positions in their respective media organizations to promote the candidacy of the 1st Respondent.
(ee) Ariyaratne Athugala, Chairman, Sri Lanka Ruapavahini Corporation, Anura Siriwardena, Chairman, ITN and Mahinda Abeysundera, Editor, Dinamina newspaper, white holding their respective positions, made statements to the print and electronic media and addressed public meetings, supportive of the candidacy of the 1st Respondent.
(ff) Several serving high officers of the Sri Lanka Army, made statements to the print and etectronic media and addressed public meetings, supportive of the candidacy of the 1st Respondent.
(gg) The Commissioner of Elections issued Guidelines dated 17th December 2009 with regard to the conduct of Electronic and Print Media with regard to the Presidential Elections 2010.
(hh) Notwithstanding the said directives, and in direct contravention of the Order of Your Lordships’ Court dated 15th January 2010 in SC FR Application No.957/2009, the State Media including the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, as well as the State controlled Independent Television Network Limited and Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited, have deliberately acted in a manner extremely partial and favourable to the 1st Respondent, by carrying news items, documentaries and advertisements advocating his election and totally defamatory of and against the Petitioner. The Petitioner was not given the right of response to such items.
(ii) The said institutions have gratuitously carried the news items, documentaries and advertisements advocating the election of the 1st Respondent thereby causing toss of revenue to the State.
(jj) Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd actively promoted the candidacy of the 1″ Respondent in its daily and weekly newspapers and publications by including over 10 pages of propaganda material for the 1st Respondent in each such publication.
(kk) The Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation refused to broadcast paid advertisements submitted by the Petitioner despite the Petitioner having indicated the ability to make full payment in advance.
(ll) The State media gave live coverage to meetings at which the 1st Respondent participated white the Petitioner’s such meetings were not given any publicity at all, or virtually none.
(mm) On 17th December 2009 Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation was given the sole right to televise live the proceedings of nomination day at the Elections Secretariat. It showed the handing over of nominations by all 22 candidates except the Petitioner.
(nn) The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited has carried false statements with regard to arms deals allegedly carried out by the son-in-law of the Petitioner.
(oo) Notwithstanding, and in contravention of, the specific direction of the Commissioner of Elections, the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation failed to afford the Petitioner a reasonable amount of airtime to reply to defamatory statements made against him.
12. FALSE STATEMENTS WHICH CONSTITUTE OTHER MISCONDUCT OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES :
CONCISE STATEMENT OF MATERIAL FACTS ON WHICH THE PETITIONER RELIES
These false statements of facts are in relation to the personal character of the Petitioner as set out below.
(A) The 1st Respondent, during the last few days of the election campaign, falsely alleged and presented a fake document purporting to be an alleged agreement between the Petitioner and the Tamil National Alliance which would lead to the division of Sri Lanka in the event of the Petitioner being elected President of Sri Lanka.
(B) The 20th, 25th & 26th Respondents, as agents of the 1st Respondent, during the Last few days of the election campaign, falsely alleged and presented a fake document purporting to be an alleged agreement between the Petitioner and the Tamil National Alliance which would lead to the division of Sri Lanka in the event of the Petitioner being elected President of Sri Lanka.
(C) Commencing approximately at 1 p.m. on the day of the Election, 26th January 2010, Sarath Kongahage, Razik Zarook, Kalinga Indatissa, Hudson Samarasinghe & Wimal Weerawansa (the 20th, 23rd, 24th, 25th & 26th Respondents hereto) made false statements, that the petitioner was not qualified to be elected as President of Sri Lanka, and that even if the Petitioner were elected as President he will be disqualified from holding such office. These false statements were broadcast without break until the close of poll at 4 p.m. by Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Lakhanda and the Independent Television Network. These false statements repeatedly broadcast on the above media had a deterrent effect preventing voters supporting the Petitioner from exercising their franchise. The said Upali Sarath Kongahage, Razik Zarook, Kalinga Indatissa, Hudson Samarasinghe & Wimal Weerawansa were supporters of the 1st Respondent, and had been actively engaged in speaking and working to promote the candidacy of the 1st Respondent throughout the period from the nomination to the close of the poll., The said institutions which broadcast the said false statements were’ owned and/or controlled by the State and therefore by the 1st Respondent, and were agents of the 1st Respondent. The said false statements were made and broadcast with the knowledge and consent of the 1st Respondent.
The Petitioner further states that 10,495,451 voted over a period of 9 hours on 26th January 2010 at an average of 1.15 million votes per hour and that the said false statements had a direct bearing on the voters in that the electors were made to believe that the Petitioner was not eligible to be elected as the President of Sri Lanka and a vote cast in his favour would be wasted and thus affected the free and fair exercise of the people’s franchise.
13. NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS ACT: CONCISE STATEMENT OF MATERIAL FACTS ON WHICH THE PETITIONER RELIES
(A) There were instances of non-compliance with the provisions of the Presidential Elections Act. Threatening and chasing away by UPFA thugs of counting agents of all candidates [other than the agents of the 1st Respondent], and the failure of the election officers and police and security forces personnel to prevent this, and thereafter election officers continuing with the count in the absence of the said counting agents.
Matale District
Counting agents of all candidates [other than the agents of the 1st Respondent] were threatened and chased away by unknown thugs from all counting centres in the Dambulla, Laggala, Matale and Rattota Electorates
Ratnapura District
Counting agents of all candidates [other than the agents of the 1st Respondent] were threatened and chased away by unknown thugs from at counting centres in the Rakwana and Balangadoa Electorates.
Puttalam District
Counting agents of all candidates [other than the agents of the 1st Respondent] were threatened and chased away by unknown thugs from at( counting centres in all Electorates in this District.
Kurunegala District
Counting agents of all candidates [other than the agents of the 1st Respondent] were threatened and chased away by unknown thugs from all counting centres in all Electorates in this District.
Gampaha District
Counting agents of all candidates [other than the agents of the 1st Respondent] were threatened and chased away by unknown thugs from at[ counting centres in all Electorates in this District.
Anuradhapura District
Counting agents of all candidates [other than the agents of the 1st Respondent] were threatened and chased away by unknown thugs from all counting centres in all Electorates in this District.
Polonnaruwa District
Counting agents of all candidates [other than the agents of the 1st Respondent] were threatened and chased away by unknown thugs from all counting centres in all Electorates in this District.
(B)
(1) After the count was concluded, 65 ballot papers, many clearly with a “x” or “1” in front of the “swan” symbol of candidate Sarath Fonseka were found in Ratnapura, wrongly bearing an indication of the reverse thereof that same were rejected votes. Several hundreds of burnt ballot papers were also found in the vicinity.
(2) Eastern Provinces / Vavuniya / Killinochchi – Many voters, including IDPs, were effectively disenfranchised in the provinces due to the irregularities on the part of the Government in organizing documentation (including identification documents and delivery of polling cards), and the failure to provide transport facilities to IDPs, notwithstanding previous assurances of transport facilities.
(3) Failure to provide transport facilities to residents of IDP camps in the North. As a result only 5,000 out of 100,000 eligible and registered voters could cast their votes.
(4) Over 627,000 Potting Cards were not delivered to registered voters.
(5) Colombo District Notwithstanding prior notification that the seating of ballot boxes for postal voting would commence at 7.30 a.m. on 4th of January 2010, when the Petitioner’s potting agents arrived at the designated place by 7.30 a.m. it was apparent that seating of ballot boxes had concluded by that time.
14. CORRUPT PRACTICE BY CANDIDATE UNDER SECTION 91(c) OF THE ACT: TREATING : CONCISE STATEMENT OF MATERIAL FACTS ON WHICH THE PETITIONER RELIES Et FULL PARTICULARS OF CORRUPT PRACTICES
Corrupt practices of treating contemplated under Section 91 (c) of the presidential Elections Act were committed in connection with the election by the 1st Respondent and/or with his knowledge or consent or by his agents.
The said acts of treating, consisted of the providing and serving food and drink, free of charge. The treating was done by the 1st Respondent, and his servants and agents acting on his instructions. The treating was done at:
(a) “Temple Trees”, the officially designated residence of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka which was illegally occupied by the 1st Respondent as one of his several residences and used as his election campaign office;
(b) President’s House in Kandy; and
(c) President’s House in Anuradhapura.
The treating was done between 23rd November 2009 (date of Proclamation of the election) and 26th January 2010 (date of Election.)
The treating was of the groups of electors mentioned below. Each of the above events had at least 3,000 participants. Some of the Public Officers so treated were officials directly involved in the election process such as Police Officers, Public Sector Trade Union members, and even members of the Attorney General’s Department.
15. CORRUPT PRACTICE BY CANDIDATE UNDER SECTION 91 (C) OF THE ACT: BRIBERY: CONCISE STATEMENT OF MATERIAL FACTS ON WHICH THE PETITIONER RELIES & FULL PARTICULARS OF CORRUPT PRACTICES
Corrupt practices were committed in connection with the election by the 1st Respondent or with his knowledge or consent or by his agents. These corrupt practices took place between 23 d November 2009 (date of Proclamation of the election) and 26th January 2010 (date of Election.) These corrupt practices consisted of acts of bribery are set out below.
(a) The 1st Respondent increased or caused the increase of salary of State officials (numbering approximately 1 million) by Rs. 2500/- outside the approved Budgetary provisions.
(b) The 1st Respondent caused members of the Civil Defence Force to be granted permanency in employment
(c) Subsequent to the meeting with Police officers at “Temple Trees”, the official residence of the 1st Respondent on 13-12-2009, Police batta (to approximately 200,000 police personnel) was increased and added to the December 2009 salary.
(d) The “Mediation Board day” was held on the 8th of December 2009 (instead of the scheduled 18th July 2010) at the official residence of the 1st Respondent. More than 3000 people were present, as each mediation board member was requested to attend with ten others. Lunch and cash rewards were given to all participants.
(e) The Railway Department recruited 650 people from the Matara District as temporary labourers on 23rd November 2009. However, the appointments were backdated to read 17th November 2009 (to circumvent the provisions of law / guidelines prohibiting such recruitments).
(f) People from Mannar who attended a public meeting in support of the 1st Respondent at the Alankuda Grounds in Katpitiya were paid Rs. 500/- each by the Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services.
(g) 40 persons nominated by Minister Karuna Amman were employed by the Eratteperiyakulam, Vavuniya Office of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation on or around 21st December 2009 till the conclusion of the poll.
(h) All Officers of the Sri Lanka Fisheries Corporation were promoted with increases in salary with effect from 1st December 2009.
(i) Promotions were effected to persons employed within the National Housing Development Authority by letter dated 10th December 2009.
(j) State officials attached to the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs were granted permanency in service by virtue of circular no. EST-4/PEMNT/03/0201 dated 25th November 2009.
16. CORRUPT PRACTICES : FALSE STATEMENTS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND CONSENT BY THE CANDIDATE AND/OR BY HIS AGENTS WITH HIS KNOWLEDGE AND CONSENT AS CONTEMPLATED IN SECTION 91 (C) OF THE ACT: CONCISE STATEMENT OF MATERIAL PACTS ON WHICH THE PETITIONER RELIES Et FULL PARTICULARS OF CORRUPT PRACTICES
Corrupt practices were committed in connection with the election by the 1st Respondent or with his knowledge or consent or by his agents. These corrupt practices consisted of acts of false statements of fact in relation to the personal character or conduct of the Petitioner made for the purpose of affecting the result of that election set out below:
(A) The 1st Respondent, during the last few days of the election campaign, falsely alleged and presented a fake document purporting to be an alleged agreement between the Petitioner and the Tamil National Alliance which would lead to the division of Sri Lanka in the event of the Petitioner being elected President of Sri Lanka.
(B) The 20th, 25th & 26th Respondents, as agents of the 1st Respondent, during the last few days of the election campaign, falsely alleged and presented a fake document purporting to be an alleged agreement between the Petitioner and the Tamil National Alliance which would lead to the division of Sri Lanka in the event of the Petitioner being elected President of Sri Lanka.
(C) Commencing approximately at 1 p.m. on the day of the Election, 26th January 2010, Upali Sarath Kongahage, Razik Zarook, Kalinga Indatissa, Hudson Samarasinghe & Wimal Weerawansa (the 20th, 23rd 24th, 25th & 26th Respondents hereto) made false statements, that the petitioner was not qualified to be elected as President of Sri Lanka, and that even if the Petitioner were elected as President he will be disqualified from holding such office. These false statements were broadcast without break until the close of poll at 4 p.m. by Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Lakhanda and the Independent Television Network.
These false statements repeatedly broadcast on the above media had a deterrent effect preventing voters supporting the Petitioner from exercising their franchise. The said Upali Sarath Kongahage, Razik Zarook, Kalinga Indatissa, Hudson Samarasinghe & Wimal Weerawansa were supporters of the 1st Respondent, and had been actively engaged in speaking and working to promote the candidacy of the 1st Respondent throughout the period from the nomination to the close of the poll. The said institutions which broadcast the said false statements were owned and/or controlled by the State and therefore by the 1st Respondent, and were agents of the 1st Respondent. The said false statements were made and broadcast with the knowledge and consent of the 1st Respondent.
The Petitioner further states that 10,495,451 voted over a period of 9 hours on 26th January 2010 at an average of 1.15 million votes per hour and that the said false statements had a direct bearing on the voters in that the electors were made to believe that the Petitioner was not eligible to be elected as the President of Sri Lanka and a vote cast in his favour would be wasted and thus affected the free and fair exercise of the people’s franchise.
CONCLUSION
17. The Petitioner states that by reason of the separate and/or cumulative effect of the facts and circumstances set out in paragraphs 8 to 16 above, the majority of electors were or may have been prevented from electing the candidate whom they preferred, namely the Petitioner, and/or the result may have been affected.
18. The Petitioner states further that by reason of the of the separate and/or cumulative effect of the facts and circumstances set out in paragraphs 8 to 16 above, the said election was not free and fair, and thereby the majority of electors were or may have been prevented from electing the candidate whom they preferred, namely the Petitioner, and/or the result may have been affected.
19. The Petitioner states that by reason of the corrupt practices pleaded in paragraph 14 above, the 1st Respondent is guilty of the corrupt practice of treating under Section 77 read together with Section 91(c) of the Presidential Elections Act and therefore the said election of the 1st Respondent be declared void and/or undue.
20. The Petitioner states that by reason of the corrupt practices pleaded in paragraph 15 above, the 1st Respondent is guilty of the corrupt practice of bribery under Section 79 read together with Section 91(c) of the Presidential Elections Act and therefore the said election of the 1st Respondent be declared void and/or undue.
21. The Petitioner states that by reason of the corrupt practices pleaded in paragraph 16(A) above, the 1st Respondent is guilty of the corrupt practice of making false statements under Section 80(l)(c) read together with Section 91(c) of the Presidential Elections Act and therefore the said election of the 1st Respondent be declared void and/or undue.
22. The Petitioner states that by reason of the corrupt practices pleaded in paragraphs 16(B) & 16(C) above, the said agents of the 1st Respondent named therein are guilty of the corrupt practice of making false statements under Section 80(l)(c) read together with Section 91 (c) of the Presidential Elections Act and therefore the said election of the 1st Respondent be declared void and/or undue.
23. The Petitioner states that by reason of the separate and/or cumulative effect of the facts and circumstances set out in paragraphs 8 to 16 above, the election of the 1st Respondent is void and/or undue, and the Petitioner ought to have been returned.
24. The Petitioner states that in the circumstances that the majority of electors had in fact and in law returned the Petitioner as the duty elected President of Sri Lanka- and is therefore entitled to a declaration that the Petitioner was duty elected and ought to have been returned as the President of Sri Lanka
25. The Petitioner states that he is therefore entitled to declarations and determinations and reliefs sought hereinafter.
26. The Petitioner further states that by reason of the by reason of the separate and/or cumulative effect of the facts and circumstances set out in paragraphs 8 to 16, above, the Petitioner had a majority of the votes, and is therefore entitled to a scrutiny of the ballots.
27. The Petitioner’s Affidavit is annexed hereto, in support of this Petition.
WHEREFORE THE PETITIONER HUMBLY PRAYS:
(a) That Your Lordships’ Court be pleased to determine and declare that the election of the 1st Respondent above named was void;
(b) That Your Lordships’ Court be pleased to determine and declare that that the return of the 1st Respondent above named was undue;
(c) That Your Lordships’ Court be pleased to determine and declare that the Petitioner was duty elected and ought to have been returned as the President of Sri Lanka;
(d) That Your Lordships’ Court be pleased to order a scrutiny of all the ballots cast at the said election held on 26th January 2010, to be carried out by the 22nd Respondent and his officials in the presence of the Petitioner and the 1st to 21st Respondents and/or their authorised representatives;
(e) That Your Lordships’ Court be pleased to award the Petitioner costs, and such other and further relief as to Your Lordships’ Court shall seem meet.
Sarath Fonseka
Petitioner