Government denies claims of unfair election in east

The Sri Lankan government on Saturday denied claims by election watch dogs and the main opposition party that the Eastern Provincial Council election held for the first time in 20 years was not free and fair.

"Except for a few incidents, the election was free and fair," Anura Yapa, the government spokesman and the Minister of Media said.

Susil Premajayantha, the minister of Education said that a few incidents were not big enough to alter the final outcome of the election.

Keerthi Tennakoon, media spokesman for the Campaign For Free and Fair Elections said that over 175 incidents of assault, threats on voters, impersonation had been received by the watch dog. Tennakoon said that children around 13 years old had been used as impersonators.

The Department of Elections said in a short statement that the estimated voter turnout was approximately 65 percent, 55 percent and 60 percent respectively in the three administrative districts of Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee.