Armed Police to protect Election Commission officials who received threats

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Armed police officers deployed to provide security to the members of the election commission who received threats, said Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa on Thursday (26).

Nominations for the Local Government Election are being accepted and a Police investigation is also underway over an incident where two of the five members of the National Election Commission had received death threats.

Former Senior DIG K. P. P. Pathirana, and S. B. Divaratne, both members of the National Election Commission, have filed police complaints about the threats made to them.

Former Senior DIG K. P. P. Pathirana said he received a threatening phone call at 3 PM on Wednesday (19) demanding he resigns from the Election Commission.

The person who made the threat had also noted that if the Former DIG fails to comply, a family member would be harmed.

Former Senior DIG K. P. P. Pathirana said the person who made the threats identified himself as a leader of the Aragalaya.

He had filed a complaint with the Inspector General of Police, and the Slave Island Police regarding the threat.

National Election Commission Member S. B. Divaratne said he received a Whatsapp Call on Wednesday (18), and the caller demanded he resigns from his post.

He also said the caller had recorded footage of his house and sent the video via Whatsapp to him.

The caller had also questioned S. B. Divaratne why he did not open the door to his house on Tuesday (17) night.

S. B. Divaratne had filed a complaint regarding the threat with the Kadawatha Police.

The Police Spokesperson said the CID conducting an investigation on the directive of the IGP.