UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya said the proposed elections to be held under the 18th amendment would be a farce.

 “An election which will be held under the 18th amendment will be a farce. All the powers related to the Police, Judiciary and the Commissioner of Elections have been vested under one individual, which is clearly undemocratic” he said.

  Jayasuriya urged the government to re-introduce the 17th amendment prior to holding elections. “The 17th amendment when introduced had the full support of the current President and the speaker in 2001. By introducing the 18th amendment the transparency and separation of powers that the 17th amendment sought to protect were demolished” he said.

 Jayasuriya went on to state that due to the 18th amendment which provided the President with wide-ranging powers would prevent a free and fair election. “There can't be a free and fair election under these powers and all efforts towards having one will be hampered” he said.

Jayasuriya said that despite there being honest and committed servicemen in the Police force, they cannot do their duty because of political interference. “Today Policemen are promoted on political affiliation and relationships with the ruling party politicians and not on commitment and integrity. Many Policemen have personally told me that if they take action against certain individuals they will have to pay a heavy price” he said (By Hafeel Farisz)