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| Sunday, 7 March 2004 |
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NAC urges politicians to follow rules by JAYAMPATHY JAYASINGHE The 13-member National Advisory Council met last Wednesday at the Interior Ministry to discuss issues pertaining to preventing serious crime before, during and after the Parliamentary Elections. Representatives of political parties and media personnel were present at the discussion. Although 24 political parties had been invited, representatives of only six political parties turned up for the discussion. They were D. M. Swaminathan of the United National Party, S. Thavarajah of the EPDP, W. M. Karunaratne of the Sinhalaye Maha Sammatha Boomiputhra Party, A. A. Suraweera of the Jathika Sanwardena Peremuna, M. S. M. Moulana and A. U. M. Haris of the United People's Muslim Alliance and G. H. de Silva of Swarajya Party. The PA representative was not present. Ven. Dr. Bellanwila Wimalaratane Nayaka Thera, Chairman, National Advisory Council said people were disillusioned with elections due to several elections taking place in the country within a short period. In the past, this was a different experience where everyone loved to hear election results, but now it has become a frightful experience. "Political parties should observe rules pertaining to displaying of posters, banners, cutouts and propaganda material during elections and refrain from indulging in character assassination and other defamatory acts. They should avoid the use of firearms and thuggery to intimidate supporters of other political parties. Nobody should obstruct election officers doing their duty at polling booths. "The victorious political party should ensure that peace is maintained in their areas and the defeated party should be able to accept defeat humbly", he said. D.M. Swaminathan, representing the UNP, asked the council why the Police Special Task Force (STF) was despatched to Nuwara Eliya district recently. Secretary, Interior Ministry, M. N. Junaid, in reply said they were planning to deploy STF personnel to camps in areas such as Galle, Nuwara-Eliya and Hambantota. However, this move could be delayed until the elections are over, he said. M. S. M. Moulana of the United People's Muslim Alliance said that security should be provided for their candidates as they were contesting nine seats in Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Digamadulla. DIG Elections, Gamini Navaratne replying said that secretaries of political parties contesting the forthcoming elections will be summoned to police headquarters to discuss security arrangements. S. Thavarajah of the EPDP said the security arrangements that have been discussed are not applicable in the North-East as the LTTE has control of the ground situation. One EPDP member has already been murdered and another abducted. |
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