Police arrest UNP Muslim candidate in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Sunday, 27 April 2008, 04:03 GMT]
Batticaloa police arrested a United National Party (UNP) candidate contesting for Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and six others Saturday morning at Oaddamaavadi after fighting broke out Friday night between supporters of United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and SLMC, sources in Batticaloa said. Tension prevails in the area as SLMC supporters accuse the police for being partial to a government minister from the area, the sources added.

The arrested UNP candidate is Burkan from Oaddamaavadi.

The six persons arrested along with him are SLMC supporters.

SLMC supporters complained that government restrictions on them have intensified.

Meanwhile, more than 5000 persons participated in SLMC party members conference for the Poththuvil constituency Saturday from 10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m at Loyd’s Play Ground in Addaa’lacheanai in Ampaa’rai district, presided by SLMC leader Raub Hakeem and attended by several senior SLMC members.

SLMC has been holding members’ conference in the electorates in Eastern Province.