“The Govt. instilled a fear psychosis into the civilians”

(August 25, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) UNP M.P. Palitha Range Bandara , addressing the Media today (25Aug) said, despite Govt. using all the State resources, including State vehicles , State property , State officials , State Media and even some private media to propagate its false propaganda , it could only just scrape through to victory at the two provinces .

Even after ‘selling’ the war and the Forces, talking of a false Kilinochchi capture ; using the Police , thugs and Pillayan’s armed group who pitched 16 camps in the Anuradhapura District just before election for terror and intimidation activities against opposing parties, the Govt. failed to poll even the number of votes it received at the 2004 elections in these provinces . But, the UNP was able to increase its number of people’s votes for this election, he pinpointed.

Whenever there were complaints against Govt. supporters, the Police took no action; in some instances they did not even record the complaints. On the other hand, the Police even wrongfully arrested, harassed and even remanded the Opposition party members and supporters even on the whisper of a meager complaint.

The Govt. instilled a fear psychosis into the civilians which precluded their voting without fear resulting in as many as 50 % of them not voting. It is in these invidious circumstances the Govt. won, he exclaimed.
- Sri Lanka Guardian