The police department will provide its utmost support to the Elections Commissioner for the conducting of a free and fair election on January 8, police spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said.

He stated that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) N.K. Illangakoon today issued a special notice to all the Senior Deputy Inspector Generals of Police (Senior DIGs) in this regard.

Around 420 permanent roadblocks will be setup across the country with effect from today, he said, adding that they will operate around the clock and cover all parts of Sri Lanka.

In addition to the permanent roadblocks being set up, instructions have been issued to set up instant roadblocks while another 2,884 police mobile patrols will commence from tomorrow (7), the spokesman said.

Police officers are to be assigned to maintain internal security at 49 counting centers while police Special Task Force (STF) personnel have been tasked with the security outside counting centers. An estimated 65,000 police officers in total will engage in election duties, he said.

SSP Ajith Rohana said these officers have been permitted to use T56 rifles as their service weapon and to use necessary force against those who obstruct their duties.

He stated that the police department has so far received 350 complaints regarding election violence and that 150 arrests have been made based on those complaints. Eighteen of the arrested suspects have been released on bail.

The spokesman further added that they have received 20 complaints, pertaining to election violence, against government and opposition politicians and that 14 politicians have been arrested so far.

Asked whether assistance will be sought from the security forces for this election, he said while the military has expressed willingness to provide assistance no official decision has been taken as yet.  

However, he noted, that this Presidential Poll has seen a decrease in the number of complaints reported regarding election violence compared to the elections in 2005 and 2010.