Campaign for Free and Fair Election stated that underworld gang members have been involved in election campaigns in Colombo, Gampaha, Kandy and Hambantota Districts.

 

Releasing a statement, CaFFE Executive Director Keerthi Tennakoon said that in certain cases, underworld members who were associated with the former government have switched sides and are now supporting the present government.

 

These underworld members are engaged in illegal campaigning especially in Gampaha District, Tennakoon said.

 

In Kandy District, two owners of private security firms are in the election fray, Tennakoon said. They have employed army deserters and other suspicious individuals in their work, he also pointed out. Meanwhile, a rivalry between two underworld groups has created tensions in Hambantota, Tennakoon added.

 

He argued that tensions could flare up into a clash even if there was no direct involvement of the politicians personally. Therefore, these underworld members must be taken put of the campaigns, Tennakoon pointed out.