The deluge enters debate - EDITORIAL

29 December 2014 05:43 am - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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With eight days left in the campaign for the crucial presidential election and the two main contenders and parties or civic action groups supporting them going into the highest gear, the major event yesterday was the crossover of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) to Maithripala Sirisena’s common opposition front.

The SLMC’s move came after its rival group the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) led by former minister Rishad Bathiudeen crossed over last week. In any event, most right thinking Muslims appear to have lost confidence in their political parties, which jump here and there largely for personal gain or glory though they say they are doing it for the welfare of the Muslims.

Another major development was reported as the lead story in our sister newspaper The Sunday Times. It quoted Deputy Elections Commissioner M. M. Mohamed as saying Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya—now acting with a degree of independence—was reviewing the situation in the aftermath of one of Sri Lanka’s worst ever floods, in which more than 20 people lost their lives, about 100,000 are in welfare camps for the displaced and about one million people affected in various ways.

According to Mr. Mohamed, the Elections Commissioner would be holding discussions with District Secretaries for the next few days to decide whether Sri Lanka’s most hotly contested presidential election should be postponed.

Postmaster General D.L.P. Rohana Abeyaratne has informed the Elections Commissioner that due to the breakdown of rail and road transport and the displacement of people, it would not be possible to meet the deadline for the delivery of poll cards.

This deadline could be extended. But many independent analysts are raising questions as to whether a free and fair poll could be conducted in the 18 districts affected by floods. At a meeting with the Elections Commissioner last Friday, one of the senior lawyers representing the common candidate Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have called for a postponement of the election though the representatives of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s United People’s Freedom Alliance had said they did not want a postponement. Whether the reason was astrological, political or weather-related is not clear.

If the floody hell continues and if the election is postponed, for instance by two weeks and held on January 22, then questions will again arise about the much awaited visit of Pope Francis to Sri Lanka from January 13 to 15.

According to Vatican tradition the Pope does not visit a country where there is a national election campaign because of the danger of parties using it for political advantage.

The Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith appears to be keen on going ahead with the visit saying the Church had been making plans for almost two years and it was the government that suddenly decided on a presidential election early next month.

Meanwhile, whether or not the election is held on schedule and despite all the promises, especially by the ruling alliance, violence and blatant abuse of election laws are growing largely because of the breakdown of the Rule of Law. Last week the controversial Deputy Minister Nishantha Muthuhettigama was able to fly out to Singapore through the VIP lounge of the Bandaranaike International Airport, though a court had issued a warrant for his arrest.

If what Mr. Muthuhettigama did was reckless and outrageous, so was the reaction of the Police Spokesman.

Even when half-truths or lies are told they are apparently leaving glaring errors. For instance the Police Spokesman said officers of the State Intelligence Service were not at the VIP lounge of the BIA, when Mr. Muthuhettigama bolted, but intelligent people know that SIS officers are on duty 24/7.
Another blatant violation was the alleged attempt to send 100,000 pro-Rajapaksa booklets free of charge to members of the security forces.
This was being done free of charge through the Postal Department.

But Transparency International Sri Lanka had informed the Commissioner of Elections and he has ordered the PMG to stop the move immediately.
We urge both main contenders and parties supporting them to respect the sovereignty of the people. The ruling alliance, especially needs to stop abusing public funds and public servants for party propaganda if Sri Lanka’s image as a democratic, just and fair society is to be restored.

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The deluge enters debate - EDITORIAL

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