Election campaign emerging as A model for Lanka - EDITORIAL

30 July 2015 03:41 am - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

.The most important and inspiring feature of the ongoing campaign for the general elections on August 17 is that, to a large extent the rule of law is reigning while the incidents of election violence and violations of election laws have been reduced significantly.

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya is acting with independence and fearlessly implementing election laws. Two weeks ago he even told the State television channels to stop the repeated telecast of a widely-praised address to the nation by President Maithripala Sirisena. Democratic Party leader Sarath Fonseka, addressing a rally on Tuesday, said the current campaign was more free, fair and clean than any election held in the past 50 years. Field Marshal Fonseka thanked President Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, the Elections Commissioner, his staff and the police for strictly maintaining law and order.

The Prime Minister himself told rallies on Tuesday that the President or the Government was not interfering in any way but the Elections Department and the Police were taking effective action to uphold the election laws so much so that most people were not even aware that an election campaign was going on.

Illegal posters and cutouts, election-related processions or demonstrations have been strictly prohibited by the Commissioner and the Police. The Elections Commissioner said that the Department’s staff and the Police were ‘shooting at’ those who were violating the election laws. They were not using guns, teargas or water cannons but the more effective weapon of video cameras to shoot evidence of those violating the laws, whoever they may be. The Police have already filed more than 30 cases, with video evidence against those found to be violating election laws and we hope the courts of law will take strict action against them.

While the two main contenders---the United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG) and the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA)—are campaigning with intensity but largely without violence against each other, President Sirisena is staying neutral and impartial. That does not mean he is not doing anything or using his powers as Head of State and Government.

In the Maldives on Sunday and Monday, President Sirisena called on Asian leaders at a jubilee summit to co-operate in the war against terrorism and drug trafficking to pave the way for this continent to live up to the hopes and aspirations of the Asian Century. After returning, the President on Tuesday visited Welioya where he had a heart-to-heart dialogue with the farmer community. He listened and wrote notes about their water crisis and other problems. The President assured them personally he would order irrigation and other officials to take immediate and effective action to resolve the crises of the farming community who have for thousands of years been an important part of Sri Lanka’s culture and civilization.

Meanwhile, in a significant move, about 110 civic action movements and trade unions signed a 14-point pledge with the UNFGG for the enactment of amendments to make the Constitution more democratic and people-friendly. Among those who signed the pledge were Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, the National Movement for Social Justice Leader Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, Ministers Karu Jayasuriya, Patali Champika Ranawaka and Rajithe Senaratne. Among the pledges were Constitutional Amendments, abolishing of the executive presidency after President Sirisena completed his five-year term and the consolidation of parliamentary democracy through a reformed electoral system based on a mix of the first-past-the-post and the proportional representation system. On the same day the UPFA launched its 12-point manifesto including provisions for a new Constitution, electoral reforms, accelerated development and the re-introduction of the Village Councils system.

While the main alliances and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna are making various promises, the sovereign people have got another chance to exercise their sovereignty. They must choose well and choose wisely to ensure that the candidates will not indulge in any criminal trafficking but serve the people and help build a just and fair society in Sri Lanka.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Election campaign emerging as A model for Lanka - EDITORIAL

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

MIRROR CRICKET

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

TODAY'S HEADLINES

United States and SL Navy collaborate in CARAT 2024 exercise in Trincomalee

Upcountry estate workers stage a token strike

People have already selected Ranil for Presidency: Prasanna

Construction work for India-funded 10,000 housing units commenced

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident

Indian cricket manager indicted for Legend Cricket League match-fixing allegations