However, election monitors said that several minor incidents of election related violence had been reported from the Uva Province within the day.

United National Party (UNP) Mayor of the Bandarawela Municipal council Chaminda Wijesiri had lodged a complaint alleging that he was attacked by UPFA Puttalam District MP Arundika Fernando and his supporters.

The Mayor said he was attacked by the MP inside the Bandarawela police station when he went to lodge a complaint after a clash with another UPFA politician.

The Mayor of Bandarawela was admitted to the Diyatalawa hospital and had reportedly suffered bruises as a result of the altercation. He was later transferred to the Badulla base hospital.

Earlier in the morning, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) candidate Samantha Vidyarathna’s election office at his house in Ridimaliyadda was ransacked and set on fire.

The voter turnout in Badulla and Monaragala districts has been recorded as 68 per cent and 63 per cent respectively, according to returning officers. The total number of registered voters in the Badulla District amounts to 609,966

Counting of votes in the Badulla District commenced at 6.30pm in 3 main centres consisting of 71 halls.  The 3 centres include the  Badulla District Secretary’s Office, Badulla Central College and Badulla Viharamahadevi Vidyalaya