Govt, Opposition unite to do away with Manape

The controversial preferential voting system turned out to be a headache to all political parties ever since it was introduced by former President J.R. Jayewardene in his 1978 Constitution.

In the past, it was candidates of opposiing parties who had to fight with each other to secure votes. But the introduction of the preferential voting system in 1978 forced candidates of the same political party and from the same area to fight each other to woo preferential votes, better known by its Sinhala term manapaya.

This has created animosity among fellow politicians of the same party as they had to compete with each other for preferential votes at elections. Though many political leaders and Heads of Government have criticised the controversial system which creates more enemies than friends, none of them showed a sincere desire to get rid of it constitutionally until President Mahinda Rajapaksa made the first move last week.

The Government, under the instructions of the President, made the first move last week by amending the laws governing Local Government elections to do away with the preferential voting system partially at future Local Government elections. More importantly, it was unanimously passed in the Parliament as all other political parties, which too have been badly affected by individual battles for preferential votes, gave their consent to the Government’s proposal.

A cross section of society, including the Maha Sangha, hailed the President and the government for revising the present preferential vote system by bringing the Local Authorities (Special Provisions) Bill and Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Bill. The amendment will see the electoral process revert to the ward system under which 60 percent of councillors will be directly elected to Local Government bodies while the rest are to be elected on the PR system.

They said the initiative of the United People’s Freedom Alliance to get rid of this anomalous electoral process is historic. They said society was affected by the present electoral voting system based on the preferential vote. They said the masses sought a revision of the present electoral system which led to intra-party clashes.

According to Anunayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter, Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Nayaka Thera, the passing of the two Bills to amend the electoral process with regard to Local Government elections in Parliament unanimously, is a good precedent. People’s representatives devoid of petty political differences identified the impediments that lie on the path to the country’s progress, he said.

The Thera said the implementation of the new electoral process would reduce clashes between the candidates of the same party for preferential votes during elections.

Deshahithaishi National Movement President Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera said these reforms should have been brought to Parliament a long time ago. He was of the view that the same procedure should be implemented for the election of Provincial Council members and Parliamentarians. Dr. Amarasekera said the country is still following the electoral system introduced by British imperialists and the country will not be able to stand on its own feet until it develops its own system.

President’s Counsel Dr. Jayatissa de Costa while commending the government’s initiative to get rid of this controversial electoral system which brought a number of divisions within parties, said the Bill will mark an important milestone in the country’s electoral history.

He said this system was forcibly implemented in the country by the UNP, misusing the mandate given by the people to the UNP.

T20 tickets

All roads led to Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Khettarama, Colombo last Sunday as the hosts Sri Lanka took the West Indies in the flood-lit final of the Twenty20 World Cup tournament. Irrespective of party politics, both the Government and the Opposition politicians were seen in their numbers to support the host nation.

On the eve of the mega final, President Mahinda Rajapaksa hosted foreign media personalities and local sports media heads who covered the T20 World Cup. Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Minister of Mass Media and Information Keheliya Rambukwella and Deputy Minister of External Affairs Neomal Perera were associated with the President, along with former Sri Lanka captain turned parliamentarian Sanath Jayasuriya and Chairman of Selectors Ashantha de Mel.

Some wanted to know what type of a wicket had been prepared for the final from curator Anuruddha Polonnowita who asked them to be patient until the match gets under way.

Sports Minister Aluthgamage’s mobile phone was busy with many calls from his friends and close associates, requesting extra tickets for the T20 final. “Everybody is asking tickets or passes for the final. How can I help all of them? Hence I began answering all my incoming calls by asking the callers whether they could get me two tickets for the World Cup final,” said the Sports Minister explaining the strategy he adopted to face the unprecedented demand for World Cup tickets.

When President Rajapaksa arrived at Premadasa Stadium to witness the final, he was received by the Sports Minister and Sri Lanka Cricket officials. When the President was informed that the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was witnessing the final at the adjoining special enclosure for Ministers and VVIPs, he asked the Sports Minister to invite Wickremesinghe to the presidential enclosure. When Wickremesinghe came and sat next to the President, Sri Lanka began losing wickets at regular intervals.

Certain opportunists and Opposition politicians made a disgraceful attempt to project a dismal picture by connecting Sri Lanka’s defeat to the West Indies with the President’s presence. There were several doctored photographs and statements on social networks such as facebook and twitter posted by some Opposition politicians and their supporters to sling mud by using the World Cup defeat. But on the following day many people countered all those mudslinging campaigns by parties with vested interests in facebook and twitter by expressing their gratitude to the President for ushering in peace.

It is pity that those Opposition politicians and their supporters have forgotten that it was President Rajapaksa who ushered in peace and provided a peaceful atmosphere to host mega events such as the World Cup. There was a time when visiting cricket teams packed their baggage and left the island when LTTE terrorists were exploding bombs in the city. Even the West Indies and Australia refused to honour their World Cup matches here due to terrorist threats when Sri Lanka won the title in 1996. If not for the President’s political sagacity, Sri Lanka would never have hosted a world class sports event of this magnitude.

Local cricket fans who dreamt of another World Cup title after 1996 were shattered and heartbroken after Sri Lanka’s pathetic show in the T20 final against the West Indies. Two ardent supporters in Padukka and Hatton have committed suicide while former Sri Lanka woman cricketer died of a heart attack.

Veteran Sri Lanka cricketer Kumar Sangakkara, who has earned reputation both here and abroad, was humble enough to console his fans. “Hi everyone! I am truly sorry we could not win last night. It was heart-breaking for us and I know how disappointed and upset you must all be having got so close once again. Cheers, Sanga” he said in his official fan page on facebook.

Basil mediates

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa was finally able to find a solution to the 99-day trade union action by university lecturers which had affected the university system badly. Thanks to his timely mediation, which won the confidence of the striking dons, the Federation of the University Teachers Association (FUTA) decided to call off their strike and start lectures from Friday.

The Executive Committee of the FUTA decided to end their three-month strike and resume work immediately. Minister Basil Rajapaksa broke the good news to the media and said that the FUTA had informed him of their decision to the end the strike. FUTA too later announced their decision to end their trade union action.

The Minister said FUTA representatives informed him they would make their membership and affiliated organisations aware about the outcome of talks followed by a final decision by the Executive Committee. They were also willing to make a joint statement to the press with the government authorities to announce their decision, he said.

Minister Rajapaksa said the government policy at all times was to give the highest priority to the education sector and provide whatever allocations for its uplift. “During discussions, both parties agreed that the progress of education should be given highest priority and the need to create a conducive environment to realise the aims for the sector as envisioned in the Mahinda Chinthana”, he said.

Referring to the university teachers demands, the minister said all what is reasonable and affordable has been given. He said both sides agreed that solutions for such matters should be sustainable and hence had to work on a long time basis.

Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake explaining FUTA demands said the various demands by the union had been brought under eight main points, which was later approved by the Cabinet. Minister Dissanayake said university staff will be paid salary arrears for the period when the strike was on and they have also been assured that there will not be any victimisation following a request by the FUTA.

Speaker’s observation

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, delivering his decision in relation to the petition filed before the Supreme Court challenging the Divi Neguma Bill in Parliament last week stated that according to Article 121 (1) of the Constitution, a reference made by the President or a petition by a citizen to the Supreme Court a copy should be delivered to the Speaker of Parliament and not to the Secretary General of Parliament.

He made this observation in relation to a statement made by him on September 18 in Parliament that he would deliver his decision on a further date as to whether it was constitutional to deliver a copy of the Divi Neguma Bill filed in the Supreme Court to an official in Parliament other than the Speaker of Parliament.

Delivering his decision the Speaker stated that delivery of a copy of a petition to the Secretary General of Parliament shall not be treated by Parliament as due compliance with the terms of Article 121 (1) of the Constitution.

“It is convenient to state concisely the basis of the view I take. Article 121 (1) of the constitution states that where the petition of a citizen is addressed to the Supreme Court, a copy thereof shall at the same time be delivered to the Speaker. There is a compelling rationale underpinning this mandatory provision of law”, he said.

“On receipt of the copy of the petition in terms of Article 121 (1), the Speaker is called upon by the constitution to adopt a course of action compulsorily. This is a fundamental and inescapable public duty imposed by the Constitution on the Speaker. This duty, attributed to the Speaker in explicit terms by provisions contained in Article 121 (2), is that “no proceedings shall be had in Parliament in relation to such Bill until the determination of the Supreme Court has been made,” Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa added.

“The Speaker, as a practical matter, is able to comply with this mandatory provision only if the addressing of the petition by a citizen to the Supreme Court is brought to the notice of the Speaker himself. On the other hand, if this notice is given not to the Speaker but to a third party, knowledge of this may or may not reach the Speaker. This would depend on the act of a third party. If, then, the third party fails to communicate with the Speaker in time, it will be impossible for the Speaker to comply with the mandatory provisions set out in Article 121 (2).

The Speaker also noted that the right to interpret the constitution is the province solely of the Supreme Court that must not be disturbed and their learned decisions on interpretation must be treated with great respect. “It is the interpretation of the Supreme Court that must stand. However, since this could affect the rights of the citizen, it is my desire to bring to the notice of the Supreme Court, the complications arising from their determination and request citizens desirous of challenging Bills, to be vigilant, in view of that determination, and ensure that the copy of the petition reaches the Speaker without any delay to enable the proceedings on the Bill to be stayed,” he said.

“I should not make any ruling on this matter in following the constitution, as it is a territory that is the exclusive preserve of the Supreme Court. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court is requested to give earnest consideration on a revisit to make a vested right of a citizen comprehensively effective as intended in the Constitution mindful of the procedures of Parliament.

The Speaker said that the legislators must be grateful to the makers of the Constitution for safeguarding the concept of the Supremacy of Parliament. “It is necessary, as well, to rectify a bona fide error made by the Supreme Court. There appears to be some confusion relating to the parties in the determination and it is desirable to have the record placed in its proper perspective,” he said.

US lauds resettlement

US ambassador Michelle J. Sison expressed her appreciation to the Sri Lanka Government for its successful completion of the resettlement program in the North.

The US ambassador expressed these sentiments when she met Resettlement Minister M.H. Gunaratne Weerakoon and Deputy Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan at the Ministry on Tuesday for a discussion on the future development programs planned by the Ministry for the benefit of the resettled people. At this meeting Minister Weerakoon said the government’s resettlement program was implemented in a well planned manner with proper management. The Ministry will take measures to provide all facilities and needs to the re-settled to improve their living standards.

He said people who went abroad as refugees were returning to Sri Lanka in large numbers to re-settle in their original places of residence in the North. Plans have already been formulated to improve the living standards of the re-settled population and link them to the national economy. The US Ambassador said the US government is working forward to assist Sri Lanka in its efforts to improve the economy and living standards of the re-settled people.

Attack condemned

Last Sunday’s attack on the Secretary of the Judicial Services Commission Manjula Tillakaratne was an unfortunate incident which disturbed the judiciary. President Rajapaksa immediately ordered Inspector General of Police N.K. Illangakoon to arrest those responsible for the attack on JSC Secretary. The President ordered the IGP to take action immediately to bring the culprits to book, Police said.

Meanwhile, Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the government vehemently condemns the attack on Tillekeratna. “This is a serious incident. Attacks on public servants are viewed seriously by the government. This is an attack carried out on a senior judicial officer,” he said.

“The government will not tolerate incidents of this nature. The government will take stringent measures against perpetrators of this attack.” Rambukwella said as all judicial officers help maintain high ethical standards in society, the government will do its utmost to ensure their protection at all times.

Police said four persons had attacked Tillekeratna while he was reading a newspaper in his car near S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavina. He had come to S. Thomas’ College to drop his child and wife, who were to participate in an event at the school.

They reportedly asked Tillekeratna whether he is the Judicial Services Commission Secretary to which he had said “yes”, following which the suspects assaulted him. Tillekeratna who was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital following injuries to his face and fingers of his right hand, was discharged on the following day.

Judges of Magistrate and District Courts and lawyers kept away from their duties on Monday. Certain political parties made a shameful attempt to gain petty political mileage out of the unfortunate incident.

However, SLFP General Secretary, Minister Maithripala Sirisena said that the Government will never interfere in affairs of the Judiciary since it firmly stands for safeguarding the people’s democratic rights,.

The minister said the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary are the guardian of the democratic rights of the people and always perform a pivotal role in protecting and safeguarding these rights. “These three bodies are committed to serve the people,” Minister Sirisena told a media briefing at the Mahaweli Centre last week.

Speaking on the government’s stand on the attack on Judiciary Services Commission Secretary Manjula Tillekeratne, the minister said the government condemns the attack since such attacks pose a danger to the independence of the Judiciary. Minister Sirisena said on every occasion such incidents were reported, the Police have been ordered to carry out a probe and take the suspects into custody.

He said elements who want to create a rift between the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary to destabilise the country, may be the ones behind the attack.

Ranil shoots down proposal

Meanwhile, the Deputy Leader of the UNP, Sajith Premadasa showed his political immaturity by making a big hue and cry over the attack on JSC Secretary Tillakaratne.

Making a proposal at the UNP parliamentary group meeting at the Parliament last week, Sajith demanded that the UNP should organise mass scale protests against the Government. However, none of his Reformists group members in the UNP came to Sajith’s rescue before the party leader dismissed the idea.

Opposition Leader Wickremesinghe demonstrated his political maturity and said the UNP should not get involved in the issue. Making a bold statement before his parliamentary group meeting, the UNP leader said that he would never allow the party to organise such protests.

None of the UNP Reformist Group members who attempt to become instant heroes before television cameras had the guts to challenge the leader who was later hailed by many veteran politicians, both in the Government and in the Opposition for his exemplary stand in not attempting to take disgraceful political mileage out of the incident.

Ranil has also banned UNP seniors and MPs from taking part in a so-called joint Opposition rally organised by Sarath Fonseka at Hyde Park on Thursday (18). The UNP leader has ordered that none of the UNP parliamentarians, provincial council or local government body MPs should attend Fonseka’s meeting. His ruling comes under the powers vested on him as the party leader.

Ranil’s thinking is understandable as the masses are confused with three so-called common Oppositions. While Ranil claims that UNP is giving leadership to the country’s common opposition with Mano Ganeshan and Siritunga Jayasuriya, two other groups claim that they too have formed ‘common Oppositions’ exits – one under Fonseka and the other under former Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara.

Fonseka’s supporters claim that their ‘common Opposition’ has the backing of Dayasiri and Karu, the two UNP seniors have denied such political alliance. Nanayakkara has secured the backing of a prominent Bhikkhu for the third such ‘common Opposition’.

Indian SC snubs Jayalalitha

Sri Lanka lifted the travel advisory it earlier issued to Sri Lankan travellers visiting Tamil Nadu.

“Following a series of unfortunate incidents faced by Sri Lankans visiting Tamil Nadu, in particular a group of Sri Lankan pilgrims visiting the Poondimatha Church in Thanjavur in early September, the government was compelled to issue a travel advisory for Sri Lankan nationals visiting the State of Tamil Nadu, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

“The Government views these incidents as an aberration, and acknowledges that Sri Lankans numbering 200,000 who visit India every year are received warmly in India, including in Tamil Nadu. The government is pleased that the Indian government, in close consultation with the concerned State governments, has taken and will continue to take all measures to ensure the safety, Security and well-being of Sri Lankan dignitaries and visitors to all parts of India including Tamil Nadu,” it added.

The Ministry said that the people-to-people contact plays an important role in the multifaceted India-Sri Lanka relationship, especially in further promoting historical, cultural and political ties as well as economic and business relations. The government is of the view that this age-old natural process of interaction between our two peoples must flourish, unhindered.

In this context, the government appreciates the comment made by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister that the Tamil Nadu State government is determined to ensure that Sri Lankan visitors to Tamil Nadu are not harmed in any way. The government has received a large number of requests to lift the Travel Advisory believes that the Travel Advisory is no longer required.

Days later, the Indian Supreme Court refused to order a ban on training personnel of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha earlier asked Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to halt an ongoing training program for two Sri Lankan defence personnel at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington near Ooty.

In a strongly-worded letter, she demanded the immediate sending back of the two defence personnel, alleging that the training “has been mischievously concealed from my government, showing scant regard for the views of my government as well as for the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu”.

The Chief Minister in August opposed a similar training program for nine Sri Lankan Air Force personnel at the Tambaram Air Force Station in Chennai. In view of her stiff opposition and protests from other parties in the State including ally DMK, the Centre had been forced to move them to the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru to enable them to complete their training. Undoubtedly, it was a severe setback to LTTE cohorts and certain Tamil Nadu politicians who tried to take political advantage by shedding crocodile tears on behalf of Tamils in Sri Lanka.