News

News

Dual purpose tickets
The JVP while campaigning for the victory of the United People's Freedom Alliance at the forthcoming General Election are collecting funds for the party by way of selling of two way tickets.

The ticket (see pic below) is priced at Rs. 20. The upper portion of the ticket says "vote for betel leaf to make the Alliance victorious" while further down it says 'to develop the country, make JVP candidates victorious'.

The ticket is being sold in Colombo and the suburbs during the party's house-to-house campaign.

Moves to curb violence
As elections violence continued, a National Advisory Council set up by President Chandrika Kumaratunga to combat crime has invited leaders of all political parties for a meeting on Tuesday to discuss ways of minimising pre-election incidents.

The National Advisory Council headed by Ven Dr. Bellanvila Wimalaratne Thera inlcudes national and religious dignitaries, public officers and civil society representatives.

Longest ballot paper
The ballot paper for Digamadulla district where 14 political parties and 27 independent groups are contesting is the longest one this time, Government Printer Neville Nanayakkara said.

He said that it is 2.2 feet in length with 410 candidates names on it.
Mr. Nanayakkara also said that the ballot paper of the Colombo district where 17 political parties and 11 independent groups are vying is 1.5 feet in length.

Protecting public resources during polls
The Institute of Human Rights (IHR) and Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) along with the Centre for Monitoring Election Violations (CMEV) have launched a programme for the protection of public resources during the upcoming general elections, a press release said.

The programme is to monitor the misuse of public resources by all the branches of government, political parties, candidates and other officials or public institutions during the election.

The press release stated that information with regard to the misuse of public property will be welcomed while the public will be periodically informed of findings including the names of those responsible for the abuses.

Former PA parliamentarian threatens OIC
A former Parliamentarian of the People's Alliance has threatened an Officer-in-Charge of a southern police station, after he refused to grant permission for setting up a party office in the town.

The ex-PA MP, Jagath Pushpakumara from the Monaragala district had initially sent one of his party supporters to obtain the OIC's permission. The officer had explained that it was not possible for him to grant permission as he required a letter from the Assistant Elections Commissioner.

Soon after the party supporter had returned to inform the former MP of the refusal, he had allegedly called the OIC and threatened him in abusive language. The OIC has lodged a complaint at Police Headquarters.

More candidates raise elections costs
By Shelani Perera
Following the completion of nominations last week the Elections Department's estimate for the cost of the poll has increased due to an increase in the number of candidates.

Last week the Elections Department stated that the estimated cost of Rs. 600 million would rise due to an increase in fuel charges. However the Department claims that this sum would be further increased following a record number of candidates filing nominations.

A total of 5,698 candidates have been nominated compared to 5,048 candidates in 2001, an increase of 650 candidates. The Elections Department has requested for particulars of estimated expenditure from its district offices.

Elections Department Accountant H.A.S. Hapuarachchi told The Sunday Times that although Rs. 600 million has been estimated as election costs it would be more, as the number of candidates have increased.According to Elections Department statistics Rs. 600 million rupees was spent for the 2001 Parliamentary elections, while Rs. 650 million was spent for the 2000 Parliamentary elections.

The cost incurred per voter at the 2001 Parliamentary elections was Rs. 47.98, whereas at the 2000 Parliamentary elections it was Rs. 53.70 per voter.

Top

Back to News