The government has become a joke: UNP

13 September 2012 09:19 am

The Government has become a joke by trying to show the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) delegates that a nonexistent rule of law and democracy prevails in the country, the main opposition United National Party (UNP) charged today.

UNP parliamentarian Ruwan Wijewardene told journalists the government had become a joke by telling the delegates there is democracy in the country after enacting the 18th Amendment to the constitution, under which independent commissions including the Elections Commission, the Public Service Commission and the Judicial Service Commission were rendered ineffective.

He said the recent elections which were far from free and fair was also a testimony of the absence of democracy in the country.

Mr. Wijewardene said election law was blatantly violated during the pre-election period because the ruling party abused and misused state property during campaign.

“The polling day was largely peaceful but the damage had been already done during the pre-election period," he said and added that the Sports Ministry had distributed sporting equipment on Election Day in the Eastern Province.

He said the ministers did as they pleased during the elections despite the valiant efforts by the Elections Commissioner to hold a free and fair election. (YP)