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Chandrika
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Chandrika vows crack-down on PA
dissidents President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, in an apparent reference to the Wayamba election violence last week, pledged yesterday that her government and political party would take strict action if any persons from her camp had been involved in such actions. Addressing the nation from Independence Square at the 51st Independence Day celebrations, the President said "We shall never permit the phantoms from the past to destroy our hard-won gains, nor shall we allow anyone from our ranks to sully our great victories. If some persons from our camp, have indulged in any actions that are contrary to the pledges we have given our people - even if it has occurred only once in four and a half years, I pledge here and now, that my government and our political party will take the strictest action against all such persons. We shall also, ensure that no such occasions arise in the future". She further said, "we re-established democracy in this country. It is our sacred duty to guarantee it as long as we remain in government. We do not need the preachings of sanctimonious humbugs, who connived in silence whilst tens of thousands of our children were massacred, to tell us what we should do". Participants at the 90-minute function held at Independence Square, Colombo, yesterday included Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Speaker K. B. Ratnayake, Chief Justice G. P. S. De Silva and Mrs. de Silva, Cabinet Ministers and their spouses, the chiefs of the armed forces and police, parliamentarians and a restricted number of invitees. The President delivered her Address to the Nation in Sinhala. A Tamil translation of it was read by an official and the English version was distributed to the media. She recounted her Government’s achievements in establishing what she described as a free and democratic political culture and also in other fields such as education, health and economic development. (The full text of the President’s speech) Independence celebrations
on a low key Another ‘freedom’ day dawned yesterday amidst a cloudy sky and humid. Ensconced inside their houses, the citizens of the country went about their normal work like on a Sunday. Those really interested might have switched on their televisions for a glimpse of the ‘celebrations’. The base of many Independence Day celebrations, Independence Square in Colombo bore the usual red and white arched decorations that adorn the historic landmark on such occasions. Colombo’s empty roads were heavily patrolled by Army and Police personnel. National flags lined Independence Avenue and fluttered on buildings. The celebrations were held on a low scale this year. A host of foreign diplomats, Government Ministers, and other VIPs and officials sat through the rising humidity as they awaited the arrival of the President and Prime Minister. A noted absentee at the celebration was Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe. Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike arrived precisely on time. Helped out of her vehicle by her attendents she was received by the Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs, Ratnasiri Wickremanayake. President Chandrika Kumaratunga, scheduled to arrive at half-past- eight, was only a little over 10 minutes late for this occasion. Clad in a white saree with a yellow border, Mrs. Kumaratunga arrived with a police escort, some on flashy white motorbikes accompanied by red-coated policemen atop beautifully groomed horses. Her arrival was heralded by trumpet blowers from the Sri Lanka Army. After the hoisting of the National Flag with conch shell blowers and drummers providing musical background fare, the voices of 100 school children were raised in song as they sang the country’s National Anthem. Two minutes of silence in honour of all patriots who had "laid down their lives to preserve and protect the freedom, unity, sovereignity and the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka" was observed. President Kumaratunga was then accorded a 21 gun salute, which shattered the preceding silence and caused a stir among the birds nestling in the surrounding foliage. The time then came for perhaps the most important element in all of the day’s programme- the President’s address to the nation. Flanked by the three Services Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police, she read out eleven pages of Sinhalese text while the foreign invitees wondered what she was saying. The President’s address to the nation was then read out in Tamil. The English text of the speech was distributed to the media. Standing to attention in the heat of the morning proved to be too much for one Army band member who was led away feeling unwell. A well rehearsed marchpast followed the President’s departure, as Army, Navy and Air-Force personnel kept perfect timing while striding past the invitees. So ended the main Independence Day celebrations at Independence Square. A 25 gun salute to the nation was fired at noon by the Sri Lanka Navy. For many though, February 4 carried no special significance except that it is the fifty-first anniversary of freedom from the British. The actual "freedom" that needs to be celebrated still seems too far away. "We can justifiably claim the status of ‘an island of security in an ocean of turbulence’ " said President Kumaratunga in her Independence Day address to the nation. This statement will no doubt spur it’s fair share of scepticism. Perhaps true freedom for the nation can only be celebrated when the "turbulent ocean" finally reaches it’s calm. The government yesterday released 740 prisoners to mark the 51st anniversary of independence, Prisons Department spokesman said. He said that persons serving sentences for rape, murder, narcotics offences and other serious crimes were not among the released.(NP) The CNN Television Network is exploring the possibility of setting up its South Asian headquarters in Colombo. Ted Turner, the Chief of CNN called on President Chandrika Kumaratunga during her visit to Davos, Switzerland earlier this week and discussed this matter with her. No further details were immediately available. Dissolve Jaffna local bodies, call by councillor Opposition leader of the Jaffna Municipal Council S. Kirabairajah has urged the defence secretary to dissolve local government bodies in the Jaffna Peninsula in view of the threats posed by LTTE for members of these councils. Hold independent inquiry on NWP poll violence says PMFTA Peradeniya Medical Faculty Teachers' Association (PMFTA) in a statement on recent NWP poll says: "The Peradeniya Faculty of Medicine Teachers Association is extremely perturbed by the events which are reported to have occurred at the recently concluded provincial council election of the Wayamba Province. We write to urge the government to hold an independent inquiry as early as possible to determine whether a free and fair election was held or not. We are also of the view that this country requires an independent election mechanism, which includes independent monitoring and policing systems. We as university teachers think and feel very strongly that we need such a mechanism to ensure free, fair and credible elections to elect legislators of the country. "We also think it is now time to demand such a mechanism in view of the past and continuing violations of rights of voters. Not to do so would continue to erode the faith of the public in the democratic process and lead to increasing cynicism about peaceful means of political contest. More disturbingly this might encourage some to attempt non-democratic options an plunge the country to anarchy yet again. The members of the association observe with grave concern incidences of violation of human rights of children and women, reported to have occurred during the Wayamba Provincial Council election campaign. The association urge the government to take immediate action to apprehend those guilty of such violence". Mass protests prompt govt. to put on
hold International Medical College project The government under fire for granting Board of Investment [BOI] approval for the establishment of an international medical college with an in-house teaching hospital, this week decided to suspend the project. The Chairman and the Director General of BOI Mr. Thilan Wijesinghe yesterday said that they have decided to suspend the project. He said that a series of consultations will take place before a final decision is taken. The BOI chief admitted that there is nothing in Sri Lanka's law to prevent the establishment of a medical college or any other type of educational institute. He indicated that ongoing protests has prompted the government to suspend the project and study all the issues involved. Both the BOI and the Attorney General's Department last year cleared the way for the establishment of the medical college located on a two and half acre site at Narahenpita. The first of its kind here the Rs. 300 million project was previously scheduled to commence its first semester in October this year. Dr. P. R. Anthonis, Prof. Rizwi Sheriff, Dr. C. G. Uragoda and Dr. Geethanjana Mendis are among the persons in the governing body of the proposed medical college which has been tied up with the world renowned Aberdeen University. A member of the governing council, Dr. Asoka Jayasena in December last year told 'The Island' that students passing out of their college will be awarded degrees by the Aberdeen University. Although supporters of the project said that the proposed medical college will offer foreign degrees and the students will be treated as foreigners requiring to sit the Act 16 examination held by the Health Ministry if they intend to practice medicine here, several sections opposed the idea. The Medical Faculty Students' Union and several other student organisations opposed the proposal to set up an international medical college. This is the second case of a private medical college running into trouble waters here. During the UNP administration violent student demonstration erupted against the controversial establishment of the North Colombo Medical College [NCMC] which awarded the same medical faculty degree. Student unrest at that time led to closure of universities for over three years. Informed sources said that the supporters of the project will seek the immediate lifting of the suspension of the project. Tiger swallows cyanide when caught, dies A suspected Tiger who swallowed cyanide when apprehended by the STF at a lodge at Dam Street, Colombo died at the National Hospital on Wednesday, police said. He was a native of Batticaloa and stayed in a lodge at Dam Street. Police have taken into custody the owner of the lodge where the suspect was staying. (WP) Cost of Living up The Cost of Living Index figure for the month of January 1999 has registered an increase as compared to the corresponding figures last year, a Census and Statistics Department source said. The figure which is computed using 1952 as the base year has placed the COL Index figure for the month of January at 2400.2, an increase of 2.7 per cent when compared to the December 1998 index number of 2336.6 . When asked as to what exactly this figure meant to the ordinary man, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics, Mr. A. Nanayakkara explained saying that in simple words it meant that assuming the average consumer spent Rs. 100 on a "market basket" in 1952, according to present value this same lot would now cost Rs. 2400. He added that the COL index generally registers an increase during the months of December and January due to heavy consumer spending during these months. The rise in the index for January is due to increases in the prices of rice, onions, coconuts and some varieties of vegetables, the Department’s statistics indicated. These price increases in food items can be mainly attributed to short supply to the markets in Colombo, the Director General told "The Island". The COL index however spurs some scepticism from people who say that this figure only shows the Colombo Consumer’s Price Index number. Mr. Nanayakkara said nevertheless that there is hardly a difference in prices of goods in other parts of the country although some items may be relatively cheaper in Colombo. He said that the index computed "more or less reflects the actual picture of consumer spending in the country". The COL Index of January 1998 was calculated to be 2311.9 according to statistics. Mr. Nanayakkara said further that according to the latest figures computed, the annual inflation rate on the basis of twelve months moving average was approximately 8.6% down from 9.4% in December last year. UNP, JVP boycott oaths
ceremony of NWPC The nineteen members of the United National Party elected to the North Western Provincial Council and the three members of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna did not take their oaths before the NWP Governor Siripala Jayaweera on Wednesday when the members elected to the NWPC of the People’s Alliance were sworn in before the Governor. The question that is being asked now is what would happen to the seats of the UNP and JVP members if they continue to boycott the Council and refrain from taking oaths during the specified period of ninety days commencing February 11 on which day the inaugural sessions of the newly elected Council has been summoned. According to the Provincial Councils Act of 1987, if a member is absent from the Council for a period of ninety days he is deemed to have vacated his seat in the Council. Legal experts said that once the Commissioner of Elections declares the result and officially announce the names of the elected candidates, the political party which the candidates represented held the right to that seat in the Council. They noted that if the elected candidate does not take his oath and absents himself from the Council for a period of ninety days, the Commissioner of Elections shall notify the General Secretary of the respective political party to nominate a suitable person to fill that vacancy within a stipulated time. These experts pointed out that unlike in the procedure of Parliament where the next person on the list is appointed,the local bodies and the provincial councils do not exercise such a practice. According to the Provincial Councils Act if the General Secretary of the political party fails to nominate a suitable person within the stipulated time given by the Elections Commissioner, the Elections Commissioner shall appoint the next man in the preferential list who has obtained the second highest number of votes to fill the vacancy. The UNP and the JVP members have decided to boycott the NWPC claiming that the poll was rigged and have called upon the government to hold fresh elections to that province.Both parties have not indicated whether the boycott would continue indefinitely. Latest reports said that the Central Committee of the JVP would meet shortly to decide a future action regarding the party’s representation at the NWPC. Postal employees to wear
black bands before resorting to strike action Postal employees have decided to wear black bands from today, Feb. 5 in protest against the Sri Lanka Postal Corporation Bill, The Posts and Telecommunications Officers Union (UPTO) said. "We will commence our trade union action wearing black bands", a UPTO spokesman said. This will mark the beginning of their trade union action which will gradually lead to a general strike, according to UPTO sources. UPTO Secretary, P. Hettiarachchi said that several other unions including the Ceylon Bank Employees union, Railway workers union, and Plantation unions have expressed solidarity with the UPTO campaign to withdraw the Postal Corporation Bill which was gazetted on January 22, 1999. The Postal Corporation Bill is be to presented in Parliament shortly. UPTO will continue their trade union action until the Bill is withdrawn, the union members said. The Union said that they would not accept the letter sent to them by the Ministry requesting the union to suspend their trade union action till the matter is discussed with the Secretary of the Ministry. The letter was a reply to the UPTO letter informing the government of their intentions to carry out trade union action in protest against turning the Postal Department to a Corporation. The union wants the government to retain the postal service monopoly and to carry out the postal service as a service to the people and not a profit motivated corporation. The Union says the Postal corporation will raise local postage charges to fifteen rupees and many private companies will be sharing the task of distributing letters from door to door at a higher cost. Postal workers will lose all benefits enjoyed by public servants and the wage increases and employee benefits will be swayed according to the whims of the board of directors, the union lamented. UPTO said that Sri Lanka Telecom workers are now experiencing hardships from a lack of a clear wage increase policy. Staff cutbacks and political appointment to the Board of Directors is inevitable the union members said. A Presidential Committee to develop the postal service with the representation of the unions and the public should replace the Postal Corporation Bill, UPTO demands. International schools told
to change starting times to ease traffic congestion The Management of International Schools have been requested to change the starting times of their schools as part of a scheme to ease the congestion in the City of Colombo particularly during peak hours. This request was made at a recent meeting at which officials of the Police, Urban Development Authority (UDA), Road Development Authority (RDA), and the Transport Authority had with the management of the schools. DIG Traffic Camilus Abeygoonewardena said that most of the Principals of International schools had agreed to this proposal and it is expected to be implemented soon. It has been observed that on school days traffic congestion in the city of Colombo is more acute than on other days. By altering the starting time of the International schools in the city limits to 8.15 am and other International School’s beyond the city limits accordingly, the number of vehicles travelling in to the city at the same time can be reduced said DIG. Abeygoonewardena. Another request made during this meeting was that the parents of these schools should organize a car pool system to avoid one child from travelling to school in one car, in order to lessen the number of vehicles entering the city at the same time. Transport Authorities and the Police are grappling with a severe traffic congestion problem which they hope to solve with the cooperation of everyone involved. The DIG Traffic Mr. Camilus Abeygoonewardena said " The Police are not solely responsible for the traffic congestion". The Transport Authority, Road Development Authority (RDA) , Urban Development Authority (UDA) with the Police and other relevant organizations together have planned and implemented some measures deemed necessary to bring relief to the public in general, said the DIG. According to the DIG. Abeygoonewardena the phase two of the Colombo Urban Transport Study which is funded by the World Bank is underway, and a team from England is now analyzing the problem of traffic congestion. The first stage of this study which began in 1977 was only a preliminary assessment of the problems that were faced then said another source. Mr. Guruge of the Transport Authority said that the study is being conducted by a 11 member team headed by Mr. Allan Pauling belonging to a English company named W. S. Aitkens International Ltd who arrived last December. They have teamed up with Dr. Amal Kumarage, Dr. Bandara and Prof. Lukshman of the Transport Authority and have already forwarded a ten point preliminary proposal that is to be implemented in the near future. The study will be fully completed in June this year he said. One of the proposals made by this team is to divert container traffic from the city by building a Dry Port either at Ragama or Hunupitiya. They have also suggested that public transport be improved, especially the bus and railway services. DIG Abeygoonewardena said that public transport should be improved to the extent that people will feel safe to send their children to school in them. "People will not be willing to travel in public transport if they are not assured of comfort and safety. We have to improve the existing bus and train service to convince people to patronize public transport more. Public transport will also be a saving to them" he said. He also said that a Mini Bus Service will be launched soon for those traveling short distances within the city limits. These buses will start from a suitable location in the city and the private sector will be invited to invest in the program. Among other steps taken to ease the congestion, a survey has been carried out in the city to find land for parking space said Mr. Goonethilaka Banda Deputy Director of the UDA. Both private and government owned land, with the consent of the owner is to be converted to street parking facilities. The lands when needed could be used by the owners for building or other purposes said Mr. Banda. DIG Abeygoonewardena said "vehicles are parked on the roads when there is no parking space available or for mere convenience, worsening the existing situation. Cannot allow the luxury of parking on roads in today’s context. Parking fees are also to be increased in the future to discourage street parking. The vehicles are prohibited from parking on the Colombo — Moratuwa road and other main roads from 7.30am to 9.30am. For traffic leaving Colombo also parking will be restricted similarly. These are measures collectively taken by the Police, UDA, RDA, and the Transport Authority". When the DIG was asked about drivers ignoring traffic rules when driving ,he said that it is very important to keep within the rules and that it was the duty of the people to travel with the safety of others in mind. "They are not concerned of their fellow drivers " the DIG said. ASP B. M. C. A Mendis of the City Traffic Police also speaking to the Island said that awareness campaigns have been organized by the police to keep the public informed of the importance of keeping the traffic code of conduct when driving today. "It doesn’t help to break rules just because another man is doing it" he said. It is also important for pedestrians to cross the road at crossings. Vehicles when parked on the side of main roads, pavements, and breaking speed limits are some of the causes for these blocks and they can be avoided if public cooperates voluntarily he said. As a solution to this problem, an official of the UDA said, the Manning Market situated in the heart of the City of Colombo was once to be relocated to Orugodawatte in 1983. The traffic to and from this place, especially large vehicles if diverted will help in reducing the blocks. But due to traders not willing to part with their old haunting grounds and insufficient political backing has prevented the market from being relocated he said. "It is in the nature of our people to be in the habit of breaking road rules and this is characteristic to our country. In other countries we don’t see this happening" said the DIG Abeygoonewardena. He said that it is impossible to catch all those who break road rules since police are not present everywhere. But motorists we spoke to pointed out that it was not necessary to have a army of policeman to nab road rule offenders. "If just a handful of policemen are deployed at strategic points in the city they will be able to catch dozens of offenders everyday one national said. Compensaton for damaged property my first task, says Nawinna One of my first tasks as Chief Minister is to pay compensation to those whose property was damaged in the violence during the recent election campaign in the North-Western Province, states S. B. Nawinna, in a statement issued to the media, soon after assuming duties as the Chief Minister of NWP. He states: "I can understand the pain of mind of the people who had to undergo a similar situation which I myself underwent soon after the United National Party came into power in 1977. They turned my business places into rubble. My father and members of my family were manhandled by the supporters of the UNP which won the general elections of that year. I was humiliated and assaulted" he added. "It is this sour experience which sharpened my determination to fight injustice and my determination has borne fruit not once but three times. "This time I received an unprecedentedly massive mandate of more than 183,000 preference votes. Today I am the North-Western Province’s Chief Minister. I am not only the Chief Minister of the People’s Alliance but also of all the people living in the NWP with no distinction of party, caste, colour or faith. It is my duty to protect the interests of all and to work for the welfare of all with no distinction whatsoever," Nawinna states. He further states that though the UNP is accusing of widespread election violence during the election campaign the UNP leadership launched its election campaign in a manner which belied their publicly expressed desire for free and fair elections. They brought an unholy triumvirate on to their first election platforms. The unholy triumvirate was the Udugampola-Gomes-Algama trio. This was a reminder that they were bringing their big bullies (Chandias) to the fore during the election campaign. It is the presence of this unholy trio that reawakened the horror of the 1988-89 period in the minds of rural masses both old and young." (WN) Application for revision
filed by SEC dismissed by Appeal Court The Court of Appeal on Wednesday, delivered judgement dismissing the application for revision, filed by the Securities Exchange Commission and upholding the order of the Colombo Fort Magistrate acquitting the accused Kotagoda Plantations Ltd of Baseline Road, Colombo, the Chairman N. Jayesingham, and Directors, A. C. Gunasinghe, A Rajaratnam, Chandra Wijenaike, N. H. Susantha Perera and S. D. R. Arun Pragasam. The complainant in this case is the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka. The charge against the Company and its Directors was that they had failed to forthwith disclose to the Colombo Stock Exchange price sensitive information, relating to the business affairs of Kotagala Plantations Ltd. which could have affected the price at which Kotagala shares were being traded on the stock exchange. The Commission alleged that the continuing listing rules made by the Commissions and applicable to public quoted companies required that such disclosure be made forthwith to the Stock Exchange. The price sensitive information in question was that, another plantation company, namely, Agrapathana Plantations Limited, had ceased to be a subsidiary of Kotagala Plantations Limited in March 1997. This information had not been disclosed to the stock exchange by the Kotagala Directors for a period of three months, during which time transactions had taken place on the stock exchange. Such disclosure, if made, could have affected the price paid for Kotagala shares by investors buying Kotagala shares on the stock exchange. The offence is made punishable by imprisonment, upto two years and a fine of upto ten million rupees. The Colombo Fort Magistrate upheld the preliminary objection raised by Defence Counsel K.N. Choksy PC, that the SEC regulations had ceased to be law in 1991 and were not valid, and made order acquitting the accused. The SEC appealed against the order to the Court of Appeal and moved the Court of Appeal to act in Revision and quash the Magistrate’s order. The Court of Appeal (Justice Amir Ismail and Justice Shirani Tillekewardene) delivered judgement on Wednesday, (February 3, 99) dismissing the application for Revision and upholding the order of the magistrate acquitting the accused. The Court of Appeal held as follows: That the rules made by the Securities and Exchange Commission requiring the Directors of Companies whose shares are traded on the Stock Exchange to disclose to the Stock Exchange, information regarding the business affairs of the company, which could affect the price paid by investor, for such shares are ultra-vires and invalid and not binding. The Commission had exceeded its statutory powers in making such rules. Accordingly, the non-furnishing of such information by the Director is not illegal and does not constitute an offence. Directors of listed companies are not under any statutory duty to disclose price sensitive information, relating to the business of the company to the Commission or the Stock Exchange. The Court said that, "Mr. C. R. de Silva contended that it is the duty of the Commission to frame rules for the purpose of maintaining orderly trading in shares and the protection of investor’s interests. Mr. Choksy, however submitted that the SEC law did not permit the framing of rules in question and that the requirements for public disclosure of price sensitive information by public campanies are ultra-vires. We are of the opinion that the centention of Mr. Choksy is entitled to succeed, in as much as neither Section 53 (a) or Section 13 (g) under which the rule in question were made does not bring public companies listed with the stock exchange within its purview. Neither the company nor its directors have therefore committed the offence alleged. The rule is ultra-vires and invalid. The application for Revision thus fails, and is dismissed with costs. The magistrates order acquitting the accused is affirmed. K. N. Choksy PC, with Hemantha Warnakulasuriya, Nigel Hatch, V. K. Choksy, Mrs. Kissaan Wijetunga and Sharmila Panditharathne appeared for the company. C. R. de Silva, Additional Solicitor General, PC with S. Samaranayake State Counsel appeared for the Commission. Minimum conditions for free
andfair election violated, says PAFFREL The two independent organisations, the Movement for Free and Fair Elections (MFFE) and the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) said that the malpractices that occurred both before and during the North Western Provincial Council elections last week violated the minimum conditions for a free and fair election. The two organisations which monitored the election, in their interim report released on Wednesday said ".....we believe that the conditions under which the elections were held, and the malpractices that occurred, both before and during the elections, violated the minimum conditions for a free and fair election". Godfrey Gunatil-leke, Chairman PAFFREL and Kingsley Rodrigo, PAFFREL’s Executive Director, who released the report at a news conference yesterday said that most of the complaints were received from opposition parties. The report pointed to "the widespread and systematic intimidation and impersonation of voters, stuffing of ballot boxes, chasing away of polling agents and acts of violence that prevailed on the day of the elections. This is in addition to the malpractices and abuses that occurred prior to election day, that culminated in two killings, such as the violent breaking up of election meetings, tearingdown of posters and banners of rival candidates and the physical intimidation of candidates and their supporters. This resulted in an atmosphere of fear and apprehension that spread to the general public". "We note that the police were unwilling or unable to take adequate steps to ensure the maintenance of law and order both before and during the elections. There were many instances of police officers who performed their duties with a commendable commitment. But on the whole, they seemed as paralysed as the policeman who told an election monitor that his duty was limited to protecting his gun and the ballot box itself". The report said, "The public officials on election duty appeared to be as intimidated in the performance of their legitimate duties as the police. There is evidence that many of them failed to report the electoral abuses that took place in their areas of responsibility. Some of them yielded without asserting their rights to the mobs who unlawfully entered the polling booths. The lack of independence of the police and public officials, and their vulnerability to intimidation by members of the ruling party have been highlighted by the events that have taken place in conjunction with this election. "We have no illusions concerning the record of the UNP during election when they were the ruling party. But surely the issues is not whether the performance of the PA is a shade better or worse than that of the UNP. We feel strongly that these elections have betrayed the confidence and expectations that the people had placed in the pledges made by the major political parties at the general elections of 1994. Those elections had signalled a turnaround in the decline in standards of free and fair elections that had commenced with the Jaffna District Development Council elections held in 1981. Tragically, the most logical prediction following the Wayamba elections is that the decline has set in once again. The next series of elections may be even more bitterly contested and the country doomed to a further cycle of violence." The report further said "Instead of being an empowering experience for the people election time has become a time of disempowerment of the voting public. A civic organisation that has set itself the goal of upholding the fundamental rights of citizens cannot compromise on its standards. Nor can it avoid the controversy that will accompany the judgments it makes. The decision taken by PAFFREL and MFFE shortly after the polls closed on January 25 to call for an invalidation of the Wayamba elections has undoubtedly been a drastic one. But we believe it was a necessary decision and we re affirm it in this, our interim report, which we will follow up with a fuller final report." The monitors added "Given the lessons learnt at the Wayamba elections we expect better judgment and adherence to democratic norms to prevail at the next elections. It is of particular importance that the government should realise the need for the independence and integrity of the police and public officials in the conduct of their election duties. We call on all political parties to take the opportunity that forthcoming elections will provide to restore the people’s faith in the electoral process." The interim report also stated that of the incidents that were reported, there had been two murders, 25 incidents of attempted murder and shooting, 89 cases of threat and intimidation, 23 robberies, 66 cases of assault and injury and eight cases of arson. "In 9 of these incidents, vehicles without number plates have been used allegedly by PA supporters. There were no such allegations against other contesting parties," the report said. Mr.Gunatilleke denied allegations levelled against them by the government that they were biased in their statements and reports and that they were sidelined with the Opposition. "We merely monitored the election and reported on incidents as we saw them," he said. |
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