UNP could not find a Tamil candidate 'due to threats by militant groups'

Addressing regional journalists in Trincomalee, SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem said violence in the east has ‘mysteriously’ stopped just after the handing over nominations for eastern Provincial Council (PC) elections.

Killings, abductions and intimidation continued until the last day for the nominations to be handed over, he added.

No Tamil candidate

Mr. Hakeem accused the government of trying to portray a picture to the international community of free and fair elections.

SLMC leader is contesting from the United National Party (UNP) as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the opposition coalition.

	Mr. Hisbullah crossed over to the ruling coalition to contest the elections

He and two other senior SLMC leaders resigned as parliamentarians to contest the polls days after a senior SLMC leader in Batticaloa, MLAM Hisbullah, pledged support to the ruling coalition.

The ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is contesting the elections with the Tamil Makkal Vidthalai Puligal (TMVP), which is accused of gross human rights violations including abductions and recruiting child soldiers.

The UNP could not field a senior Tamil politician from the region due to threats by militant groups, the SLMC leader said.

The violence in the east, Mr. Hakeem said, will certainly increase after the PC polls.

TMVP member killed

Opposition parties, including Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), and rights watchdogs have called on the government to disarm the TMVP before the elections.

Commenting on government’s east development plan, Negenahira Navodaya, he accused the government of using international aid provided for tsunami and war refugees for electioneering.

In Batticaloa, a TMVP member was shot dead at Kalkudha on Saturday evening.