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| Sunday, 14 March 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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"Democracy very much alive in Sri Lanka" by P. Krishnaswamy Sri Lanka has had a vibrant democratic tradition since the 1930s when the first national elections based on universal suffrage took place and, in spite of the rise in election-related violence in recent years, democracy is very much alive in the island, Chief of the European Union Election Observation Mission, John Cushnahan told a media conference last week in Colombo. The Mission was in Sri Lanka at the request of the Commissioner of Elections. This is their third visit in four years to observe Parliamentary polls. There was some reflection on their part before a decision was taken to visit the island, Cushnahan said. The EU strongly supported efforts to strengthen democracy and to improve human rights throughout the world. They were willing to respond positively to requests for election observers in countries which required their assistance, he said. "We were very much impressed by the way in which voters cherished their votes. It is the bounden duty of political parties to ensure that citizens can exercise their franchise free of violence. Political parties should not only condemn violence, but also take positive steps to end it," he said. Cushnahan said they were disappointed that key recommendations they had made after observing the 2000 and 2001 elections have not been implemented. The appointment of a multi-member Elections Commission and a Code of Conduct for political parties were among them. Sixty five EU observers are to visit Sri Lanka. Twenty observers have already arrived in Colombo while the others will arrive a week ahead of the elections, he said. EU observers will be in the island for three weeks after the elections to submit a comprehensive report and recommendations. |
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