Eastern province situation conducive - Minister Seneviratne
by Ananda Kannangara
[email protected]
The main Opposition UNP on Friday reiterated that a peaceful
atmosphere in the Eastern Province must be created by the Government as
early as possible to enable all political parties to contest the
forthcoming Provincial Council elections without any intimidation or
threat from illegal armed groups.
UNP, General Secretary Tissa Attanayake told the `Sunday Observer'
that without creating healthy surroundings to conduct an election in the
Eastern Province, the candidates of all recognised political parties are
reluctant to contest the election, saying that illegal armed groups are
a threat to the unarmed candidates and also democracy.
The UNP General Secretary also accused the Government of taking steps
to withdraw some major STF camps from the Eastern Province at the
request of the TVMP's Pillayan group.
"Such a situation clearly indicates that this group's main intention
is to control the area illegally by evacuating the STF during the
election period and sabotage the democratic principles," he said.
However, Attanayake said the UNP is expected to discuss this matter
with the party's Executive Committee and with several other political
parties including the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress on the party's decision
of contesting the election on March 25.When contacted Power and Energy
Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne said the situation in the whole Province was
conducive to conduct any election.
"Even PAFEREL an elections monitoring and observation organisation
its head Mr. Kingsley Rodrigo told the media that last month's Local
Government Election in the Batticaloa District was fair and peaceful
atmosphere". |