2nd killing in election violence reported from Puththa'lam

[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 January 2010, 15:33 GMT]
A United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) supporter was shot and killed and four others injured in a clash between UPFA and United National Party (UNP) supporters Saturday afternoon at Mathurangkuzhi in Puththa'lam North Western Province. Sri Lankan Police said the dead was a supporter of the ruling UPFA. Four others were also injured in the shooting. Several buildings in the area were set on fire. The shops belong to the UNP supporters were set on fire by the UPFA supporters.

Additional police post was called to bring the situation under control. But as the situation got worse police had used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The injured were admitted to the Puththa'lam hospital.

Meanwhile four UNP supporters were assaulted while they were returning after UNP rally in Mawarenna in Matara district today.

One person who was critically wounded was admitted to the National Hospital in Colombo and other four injured were admitted to the Matara General Hospital.

Earlier, the group of people who came under fire is said have vandalized the election propaganda material of the common opposition candidate General (retd) Sarath Fonseka.

Meanwhile independent poll monitors are said to have recorded about 600 election related incidents since nominations were handed over in late December last year till Saturday evening.