UNP says TMVP wanted STF out of the province to win PC elections

The United National Party (STF) said the move was an attempt to rig forthcoming eastern provincial council elections using paramilitary group led by Pillayan.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake told BBC Sandeshaya that the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP), widely known as Karuna faction, has demanded STF be removed from the east.

Commander replaced

The Sri Lanka military admitted that 25 percent of STF special police commandos in Ampara district were replaced by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) personnel.

The replacement was made after a thorough study on the security situation in the region, military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told BBC Sandeshaya.

This move is a serious threat to free and fair elections. This is also a serious threat to the security   Tissa Attanayake

He categorically denied that the decision was taken after current TMVP leader, Pillayan exerted pressure on the government.

Mr. Attanayake however alleged that the government has given into the demands of an armed group.

"This move is a serious threat to free and fair elections. This is also a serious threat to the security," he told BBC Sinhala.com.

'Only in Ampara'

The UNP General Secretary added that the government has also transferred the STF commander, DIG Nimal Lewke.

Praising the STF for working hard to enhance the security situation in the region, the UNP alleged that the TMVP wanted STF out of the province to win forthcoming elections.

	Brigadier says replacing 25% of STF from Ampara was an strategical move

Denying the allegations, Brig. Nanayakkara says STF camps are still intact in TMVP's main power base, Batticaloa district.

The TMVP that contested the 15 March local polls with the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) won the Batticaloa Municipal Council and many of the other local bodies.

The UNP that boycotted the elections denounced the results describing it as replacing one armed group with another.

The UN and other rights watchdogs have accused the TMVP, which was formed by Col. Karuna after breaking away from the Tamil Tigers in March 2004, of gross human rights violations and child recruitment.

The UNP Working Committee is to decide whether to contest the PC elections on Tuesday.