Sri Lanka President Wants Army Deployed for Local Election

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, March 19, 2002

Sri Lanka President Wants Army Deployed for Local Election

Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga has called for the deployment of the army in Wednesday 's local government election.

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Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga has called for the deployment of the army in Wednesday 's local government election.

In a letter to Minister of Interior John Amaratunga on Monday, Kumaratunga said that she had no faith in police to maintain law and order in the country in the local election to be held on Wednesday.

Kumaratunga is critical of what she alleged the police inaction with regard to cases of intimidation and many acts of violence against her People's Alliance (PA) supporters.

"I wish to mention that during the 2001 General Election, the police did not act independently as regards complaints of violence lodged by PA candidates and their supporters with the Police," she said.

"In many instances, complaints were neither recorded nor inquiries proceeded with and suspects arrested",the president complaints.

Kumaratunga recommends to the government to consider deploying armed forces to assist the police during the election.

At least four of PA legislators are currently under arrest for alleged perpetration of pre-election violence.

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