The Political Column

21st November 1999

PA begins patching up

By our Political Correspondent

Both these leaders met briefly on the day of the nominations at the Election Secretariat at Rajagiriya. They exchanged pleasantries and wished each other as they were waiting to receive nominations.

Mr. Wickremesinghe was pleased because polls would be held within five weeks. President Kumaratunga said that she, too, liked this idea and expressed the view that they could have a peaceful election.

The President told Mr. Wickremesinghe: "I hope you sent a message down to your people." Mr. Wickremesinghe replying said, "I have already done it. But it does not appear that you have done so. It will be good if you send a message down your line." The President came out with a positive response and said that all should make a concerted effort to have a peaceful poll.

When the question of polling in the north and the east was raised, the President said she had made adequate arrangements for the people in the north and east to vote. She said that arrangements had been made to cluster the polling stations at points where security forces could provide the election staff and the voters with sufficient security.

At this juncture, senior counsel K. N. Choksy who was also present at the nominations along with Mr. Wickremesinghe said clustering should not be overdone as it would make polling stations inaccessible to voters. Then President Kumaratunga asked as to how they did clustering of polling stations in 1994 when the presidential elections were held last. Mr. Choksy said the polling stations were clustered, but an effort was made to have as many polling stations as possible. Nevertheless, he said the Tamil parties complained that there were insufficient polling stations and sometimes voters had to walk several miles which they did not like to do in trying circumstances.

Mr. Choksy said clustering should be done after consulting the security forces, the commissioner of elections and the party secretaries.

At this stage, UNP general secretary Gamini Atukorale who was also present at the secretariat said he had already requested the elections commissioner to summon a meeting of party secretaries before gazetting the polling stations.

After receiving nominations, all the candidates pledged to have a violence-free election to enable the people to exercise their right.

It was also noted that the rebel UNPers, two of whom are now ministers, were present on nomination day at the Election Secretariat.

Anura Bandaranaike asked Minister Nanda Mathew whether he saw the Island cartoon depicting the two rebel UNPers as muck-rakers. Mr. Mathew smilingly told Mr. Bandaranaike that he had conveniently forgotten all those that appeared during his crossover from the SLFP to the UNP. Mr. Mathew also made it a point to shake hands with former Speaker M. H. Mohamed who has been described by some UNPers as one of the architects of the recent revolt in the UNP and later backed out. Mr. Mathew was all smiles answering various questions raised by his former colleagues. Answering a question raised by UNPer Lakshman Seneviratne whether there was money involved in the crossovers, Mr. Mathew said it was not his way of doing things and that he would not change colours for money like others do.

He also reminded Mr. Seneviratne how he left the UNP only to return after a short stint in the DUNF. Mr. Mathew, however, said all dissidents would return to their party fold by December 23 to form a new UNP. The amused UNPers kept mum, wondering as to what Mr. Mathew meant when he said this.

In another interesting development last week, it was noted that both Ministers Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and Mahinda Rajapakse were absent at the PA's convention held at the race course. The two ministers, however, were reported to have participated in non governmental activity in the Dalukanda area in the South on the same day.

But the political significance of all this is that both these ministers had fallen from grace, Minister Fernandopulle for having criticised President Kumaratunga's attempt to defend Defence Secretary Chandrananda de Silva and his wife, Bank of Ceylon Chairman Dayani de Silva.

Minister Rajapakse has spoken forthrightly on many occasions making it at times a head-on collision with the President.

However, efforts are being made now to persuade Minister Rajapakse, an outspoken politician, to join hands with others in the presidential campaign. Mr. Rajapakse has already joined the campaign, but the government feels that he had not subscribed fully to this effort.

However, it is learnt that Minister Mangala Samaraweera is doing everything possible to put Minister Rajapakse in full swing. One could see Mr. Samaraweera's tireless efforts when the state-run Daily News and the vernacular Dinamina on Thursday wished Minister Rajapakse on his 54th birthday.

While the President is drawing all her resources to make her dream for a second term a reality, opposition leader Wickremesinghe is also making a similar effort to be the next president of Sri Lanka.

In this endeavour, he has written a letter to the voters of Sri Lanka. It says: "Dear Voter, I am writing to you to seek your support in the Presidential elections on 21st December 1999. For five long years you have had Chandrika as a President who has devalued our country and reduced your purchasing power through her actions and words.

"She has damaged our economy, through her incompetence, demoralized our armed forces with her interference and tinkering in the war and enraged so many sections of our society through her selfish uncaring attitude.

"She must go - for the sake of our country. But you know that anyway. For you the question is, what is the alternative? The alternative is a life that can be so much better.

"A Sri Lanka where our young have hopes for the future. where they are given skills to help them find real jobs and where they are able to take advantage of the global 'knowledge economy'!

"A Sri Lanka that is the golden gateway into South Asia. Where in each part of our country 'Economic Zones' bring new jobs, better wages and improved living standards.

"A Sri Lanka free of war. This will be a long hard struggle, but even this can be achieved through patient negotiation.

"A rural economy where farmers, fishermen and entrepreneurs are given the help to create wealth and improve the quality of life for them and their families.

"A Sri Lanka where women and children feel safe to walk the streets. Where the police target organized crime and where criminals are severely punished.

"A Sri Lanka where buses, and trains are efficient and comfortable, where roads are built to allow trade to take place deep into the rural areas.

"A Sri Lanka where the armed forces, the police, the judges and public servants are independent of political interference, and where you are able to vote without fear of intimidation and violence.

"Soon all this could be a reality. As your President I will make it happen. You can have a better life. To make it so, take the first step on December 21st and vote for me as your President."

Mr. Wickremesinghe described his manifesto as a pact with the people where he performs certain duties as the President on a contract given to him by the people. His main proposals are to create a learned society and to end the on-going war.

He says: "I am aware of the acute suffering the people of the north-east have to endure on a daily basis owing to the lack of food, medicine and other essentials. I also sympathise with the trauma many legitimate travellers have to undergo when visiting their loved ones. Once elected, I will take immediate steps to make life easier for them. In particular, I want all the people of the affected areas to have the opportunity to pursue the vocation of their choice. I will ensure that these concerns are addressed without discrimination and in a manner that is equitable to all communities in the north-east."

Mr. Wickremesinghe also gives priority to fighting crime and he pledges to set up an independent police commission. Tackling crime is an important matter and Mr. Wickremesinghe says that under Chandrika, crime has spiralled out of control, specially organised crime and offences committed by military deserters. Mr. Wickremesinghe says he will bring in international experts to advise and assist the police and call upon parliament to pass harsher penalties for crimes against individuals.

He also insists that road discipline should be maintained at its highest standard. He states our roads have become unruly. Everyday, people die as a result. I will create a highway police with increased manpower, with better training and provision of quality equipment.

In his statement of policy or the pact with the people, he deals with the subjects of national importance. Mr. Wickremesinghe pledges to prevent the decline of morality, break the backbone of unemployment, help the poor, to bring about better living standards, better standards for overseas employment, improve the rural economy, modernise transport, to extend ownership and spread wealth, a house owning democracy, prevent discrimination against women and protect the environment. He also pledges to give a free hand to the Media.

He states: "This government has used the media for its own political ends. That is disgraceful. It typifies the way in which the government has corrupted all our institutions in recent years. Even as this election starts, Chandrika is making more promises which we know she will not keep. My word stands. I am determined that the media will be free of political control and patronage.

"There will be a committee of independent experts set up to decide the future of the state media. They will be asked to recommend the structure of an independent media. The way this government has manipulated the state media makes this assurance an urgent priority."

While the political parties are having a hectic time preparing their propaganda sheets and other strategies, the Acting Commissioner of Elections, D. M. P. B. Dissanayake, on Wednesday summoned a meeting of party representatives to decide on certain urgent matters concerning the election.

Some representatives of small parties raised the question of having international monitors for the election. PA General Secretary D. M. Jayaratne opposing the move said it would be unfavourable for the ruling party to have any election monitors. But he, however, indicated that he had no objections if the Elections Commissioner decides to have local monitors.

The smaller parties also questioned the government as to how it would conduct the elections in the north and the east. Inspector General of Police Lucky Kodituwakku could not answer all the questions posed by the participants. However, the Election Commissioner is expected to make a clear announcement as to how the elections in the north and the east are to be conducted. The Northern and eastern provinces are considered a dicey factor as far as the elections are concerned. Most analysts believe that there would not be a free and fair election in these areas since most of the areas in the north and the east either come under the wing of the armed forces or the LTTE.

Analysts believe that the government is at an advantage when polling booths are clustered and located near security force establishments. It is alleged that some elements might make use of the opportunity to stuff the boxes in favour of their account. This, however, would be difficult at this juncture since it is solely dependent on the mood of the security forces in view of the on-going war.

However, if a free and fair election is held, it is clear that the government would face a severe setback in the north and the east. In this given situation, the UNP is more keen to see a free and fair election in these areas. Now it is up to the Elections Commissioner to announce the ways and means that should be adopted to hold the elections.

At this meeting, some representatives raised the question as to how President Kumaratunga was accompanied by four others when the Elections Commissioner specifically mentioned that only two persons could come along with the candidate. All the others complied with the request of the Elections Commissioner, but not the President and they asked why. Minister D. M. Jayaratne said it was for the President's protection. It was noted that Senior Lawyer Arthur Samarasekera and Presidential Secretary Kusumsiri Balapatabendi also accompanied the President in addition to Mr. Jayaratne and President's Counsel H. L. de Silva. When the smaller party representatives insisted on a response from the PA and the Elections Commissioner, an infuriated Minister S. B. Dissnayake said they need not reply to 'grass bibbling cattle' from smaller parties. This remark from Minister Dissanayake raised a hornet's nest and eventually he was compelled to withdraw his statement.

An interesting meeting was held at the Media Ministry with the participation of heads and senior official representatives of the electronic media. The meeting was jointly chaired by Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Sarath Amunugama while Sanath Gunetilleke, Ishini Wickremasinghe and Ariya Rubesinghe also participated.

Representatives of all privately owned electronic media institutions were present at this meeting. Mr. Samaraweera said only the state media could handle the elections-related work of the presidential candidate. To substantiate his claim, Mr. Samaraweera read out relevant sections from Presidential Elections Act. Private media officials said it was unreasonable since the Act was now outdated with the emergence of private media institutions.

The Act was created in the '70s to suit the situation at that time, they pointed out.

Minister Samaraweera said Mr. Amunugama who was a co-author of this Act was present with them to deal with the subject. Dr. Amunugama said the government had the sole right to monitor the private media. He said private TV channels and radio channels should avoid carrying election advertisements or interviews with the presidential candidates. However any other interviews with other personalities of representative parties also should be distributed in equitable proportions, he added.

Minister Samaraweera said it was not an order but a request to all electronic media heads to comply with their request. However, all this will come as a gazette notification under the signature of the Elections Commissioner. The electronic media people who were disappointed with the government's move are now trying to file action against the Elections Commissioner and the governmental authorities.

Interestingly, the decision to ban the private electronic media from carrying anything relating to the presidential candidates was taken after an interview carried in the TNL portraying UNP presidential candidate Wickremesinghe. In that interview which was supposed to be a debate with President Kumaratunga the President was absent.

The government feels that they are at a disadvantage as far as the private media are concerned. As the government will take steps to muffle the private media by citing legislation and the Presidential Elections Act, several private TV channels are also planning to invite the two main candidates for a debate which would be eventually detrimental to the president since she is not in a position to accept these invitations. Amidst all these, President Kumaratunga also had a meeting with the diplomatic community in Colombo. The President outlined the policy of the government as to why she intended to hold an early presidential election. Minister G. L. Peiris said the government was concerned to bring forward the presidential election in a bid to accelerate the constitutional reforms aimed at solving the ethnic crisis.

He said the government had gone a long way in legislating most of these constitutional reforms, but needed the people's approval to go ahead with the legislation since the opposition did not cooperate. By bringing in the political package, Minister Peiris said the President had rendered a great service to the people of this country. What Prof. Peiris meant was that she needed a fresh mandate from the people and a two-thirds majority in parliament to resolve the problem which she does not possess at this stage. The government is hopeful that it would be able to muster the support of a section of the UNP and form a national government after she emerges victorious at the presidential election.

Central Bank Governor A. S. Jayawardena who was present at the meeting outlined the country's economic policies while Lakshman Kiriella was also present acting for Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

It is said that several diplomats had raised questions about foreign monitors at the next presidential election, but it appears that the government is not keen in having any monitors since they felt that it would be disadvantageous to it politically.

Looking at the mood of the electorate, political analysts are not in a position to predict the voting pattern at the presidential election. There are pluses and minuses for both the President and the opposition leader and the usual political pundits are in a quandary, as to who would emerge as the next President of this country. Could it be Chandrika Kumaratunga once again or will it be Ranil Wickremesinghe who claims he would lead the country to the next millennium.

Situation Report

Editorial/ Opinion Contents