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| Sunday, 15 February 2004 |
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Freedom Alliance summons JBiz for vital meeting : Call to ensure free and fair poll The Freedom Alliance has requested the Joint Business Forum (JBiz) for a meeting to be held on Tuesday February 17 at 4 pm at the BMICH. Information and Telecommunication Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and JVP representative Wimal Weerawansa will with meet the representatives of the JBiz. " We are planning to pose them with a series of questions, specially to the JVP," said a representative of the JBiz. Sri Lanka Fruits and Vegetable Producers' Association president Sarath de Silva, said. the general elections in my opinion should be held with peace prevalent in the country to proceed with the day to day work of the civil society. "Who wins or loses will not bother us as we are happy to work with any government as long as there is peace in the country". A spokesman for the travel and tourism industry said that until now there were no cancellations by impending tourists and tour operator nor there were problems,but tourists might have a sense of fear to travel about during the time of elections, but nevertheless we would go ahead with our plans. The JBiz wishes to place on record its great disappointment over its vain but bold efforts as well as other religious groups and leaders of civil society to resolve the political crisis between the two major political parties, which finally resulted in the dissolution of parliament and elections scheduled for April 02 ,2004, states a release by the JBiz. "The serious consequences of holding another election,after a lapse of two years,are well known. The cost of conducting such an election will be Rs.1 billion with disruption to the daily activities of the ordinary citizens, slowing down of the economy and political violence and intimidation which normally accompanies elections in Sri Lanka, are some of the negative factors. In addition, many important Bills that were before Parliament will be unduly delayed thus retreading the social-economic progress of the country". The JBiz is of the view that all steps must be taken to ensure ,that the general elections to be held,will be conducted in an independent ,free and fair manner and therefore call upon all political parties and affiliated groups to abide by the code of conduct given below. *No political party should take any action,which will precipitate a breakdown of the Ceasefire Agreement. *All political parties should ensure that their members do not indulge in political violence and acts of thuggery and intimidation, which will disrupt the peace and violate law and order. *All political parties should ensure that the candidates nominated by them are suitably qualified with a clean record of conduct and not tainted by charges of bribery and corruption or thuggery and intimidation. *The President should give a directive to the minister overlooking the media operations that equal opportunity and usage of print and electronic media be given to all political parties. *The Elections Commissioner should be empowered to declare a poll conducted at any polling booth / booths null and void if he has sufficient evidence of irregularities. *The IGP should ensure that the police act impartially before, during and after the elections and, that any attempt to disrupt law and order by any individual, be dealt with firmly and effectively. *The polling should be monitored by independent International agencies as well as local agencies which have experience, expertise and the organisation capability of doing so with the co-operation and co-ordination of the officials of the Elections Department. |
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