SLMC-UNP violence in Kalmunai

[TamilNet, Friday, 17 December 1999, 17:24 GMT]
Violence erupted in Kalmunai town in the Ampara district this evening when a group of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) supporters destroyed the stage erected to hold an election rally of the United National Party. The meeting was scheduled to be held today evening at Kadatkara Pallivasal, Kalmunai.

Thereafter a group of UNP supporters damaged the office of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress at Sainthamaruthu.

They then proceeded to the house of a leading supporter of the SLMC in Kalmunai. When the group attempted to enter the house forcibly, Police personnel giving protection to the house fired in the air to disperse the unruly crowd.

Meanwhile a van belonging to a supporter of the UNP was also stoned by some persons in Kalmunai.

Tension prevailed in Kalmunai area following these incidents.

The SLMC is supporting the candidate of the ruling People's Alliance, Chandrika Kumaratunge in next Tuesday's Presidential elections. The UNP is the main opposition party.