Report on Nawalapitiya poll incident handed over to the President

 The members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party committee appointed to investigate the annulling of votes in 37 polling centers in Nawalapitiya electorate handed in their report to the President Mahinda Rajapaksa this evening at the Temple Trees.

Minister Maithripala Sirisena appointed the committee headed by the Attorney-at-Law W.G. Karunajeewa on April 20 to investigate the election violations at the polling centers of Nawalapitiya polling division in Kandy District that led the Election Commissioner to annul the results from the 37 polling divisions and call a re-poll.

(Pictures by Sudath Silva)

Attorney-at-Law Champani Padmasekara was the Secretary to the committee. Former IGP Chandra Fernando, Attorney-at-Law Saliya Mathew, and Professor Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa were the members of the committee.
The committee obtained evidence from the politicians as well as representatives of provincial council and Pradeshiya Sabhas of the area. The Maha Sangha, the public and principals of the area were also questioned in this regard. The committee found no ruling party member was responsible for inciting the disputed incidents.
President Rajapaksa held off giving any ministerial portfolios to parliamentarians elected form the district until the investigation was complete.