UNP calls for polls commission April 23, 2013 The United National Party (UNP) has urged the government to establish the Elections Commission according to the 17th amendment prior to the Northern Provincial Council Elections. UNP MP Kau Jayasuriya said that with the absence of an Independent Elections Commission several incidents reported during elections after 2005 had proved that there is a truth in the allegations that none of the elections conducted since then were free and fair. “It is reported in the media that the President Mahinda Rajapaksa has stated at a meeting with Media Chiefs, elections could be held under the Commissioner of Elections without an Elections Commission.  An Elections Commission was established by the 17th Amendment which was passed in Parliament by 2/3 majority, to achieve certain goals which included restraining powers surrounding the Executive Presidency, establishment of a strong democracy and good governance.  17th Amendment was repealed by introducing the 18th Amendment, which was passed by 2/3 majority obtained by winning the Members of Parliament of the Opposition by offering various benefits and other devious methods, not by the mandate of the people. In the first round of this exercise Attorney General’s Department and Police Department was taken under the President.  By centralizing more and more powers round the Executive President, the position of the Executive Presidency was converted to a Constitutional Monarch.  Department of Elections Commission which is a very vital Institution for the democracy of this country too is taken under the President,” he said. The UNP MP recalled that there were direct allegations against the government for using state resources, helicopters, state bungalows, offering meals inside state bungalows and spending public funds during the 2010 Presidential Elections to the benefit of their candidate. ”We recognize the incumbent Commissioner of Elections as an efficient and honest officer.  But those who respect democracy in this county have a doubt in their minds whether it is possible to overcome the influence of the political authority.  The President himself has announced that the Provincial Council Elections for Northern Province will be held in September also it is reported that elections will be held for North Western and Central Provincial Councils,” he said. Jayasuriya says the statement of the President that an independent elections commission is not essential creates a very serious issue whether it would be possible to conduct free and affair elections at least in the future.  (Colombo Gazette) Abolish 13A

By Sithara Pathirana Minister of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities and Leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF), Wimal Weerawansa, has announced that calling for the repeal of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution will be the main theme of his party's May Day rally this year. He also said it was his intention to create awareness among the working class that would voice against the formation of another Tamil Eelam in the North. Minister Weerawansa was speaking at a media briefing yesterday to announce his party's May Day rally programmes. Elaborating on the 13th Amendment and the Northern Provincial Council elections, Weerawansa said, if the Northern Provincial Council poll was held without any changes made to the 13th Amendment , the creation of another powerful Eelam cannot be prevented. The minister also warned the main outcome of this election will be the creation of another era of unrest in the North, along with the inculcation of racial ideas in the minds of the general public. "This will also create a situation similar to the 1980s when the Sinhalese and Muslims will be forcefully removed from their habitats," he said. The minister expressed his concerns over the powers that would be vested with the Northern Provincial Council and pointed out the excessive powers to the Northern PC will lead to exploitations. He also mentioned the powers to handle land and police will fall into the hands of the Northern Provincial Council. "If we are to protect the unity that our country gained with much difficulty, there are certain steps that needed to be taken," he said. He opined the 13th Amendment should be abolished, and if the majority in Parliament does not agree, then the government should either remove or modify the clauses that may lead to the formation of a possible second Tamil Eelam. "We are not satisfied with the response of the government with regard to the 13th Amendment, but let us believe the attitude of the government will change," he added. Detailing on his party's May Day rally he said, this year they will be holding the May Day procession and rally independently, with the aim of motivating the working class to go against the formation of a second Tamil Eelam. The procession will commence at the Dematagoda St John's School playground and will end at the Maligawaththa P.D. Sirisena playground covering the distance of 3 km.

2013-04-24