Of all that is pernicious in all resolutions tabled in the UNHRC against Sri Lanka the most scandalous and disgusting possibly is limiting investigations calls for to the final few months of the war. We are talking about a conflict that dragged for practically three decades. We are speaking about a couple of hundred thousand killed. One particular life can not be significantly less worthwhile than an additional. A single murder can not be much more despicable than one more. The grief of a single mother can not be significantly less than that of one more mother. The very same goes for fathers, young children, lovers and buddies who grieve.
We are reminded of this monstrous ‘logic’ nowadays when there’s a call for the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime and wrongdoers therein getting held responsible for wrongdoing a call for a complete investigation on many allegations. Now, ss a person stated ‘compassion’ (maithree) is all good but this does not mean that wrongdoing and wrongdoers need to go uninvestigated and unpunished respectively. Strangely, although, Champika Ranawaka of the Jathika Hela Urumaya who spearheaded Maithripala Sirisena’s campaign and was clearly the most articulate critique of the regime on all counts like corruption has picked a period, 2004-2014. This is arbitrary and worse it smacks of witch-hunting.
Accurate, it is the regime that was defeated that is under scrutiny. Correct, investigation of corruption charges was a key theme of the Sirisena campaign and it can be concluded that people did vote for such an inquiry. Corruption and wrongdoing on the other hand could not have begun in November 2004. We are right after all talking about a constitution and institutional arrangement that made for abuse and pilfering in a big scale as nicely as a culture of impunity that was effectively and actually made use of by numerous who wielded energy for decades but especially given that 1977. Bheeshanaya (terror) and dhooshanaya (corruption) let us not neglect have been charges leveled by those in the opposition at least since the 1988 Presidential Election. They had currency.
Some may claim that the bheeshana-dhooshana levels of the past ten years had been unprecedented, but they would be those who have brief memories thinking about what occurred in 1988-89 and towards the tail end of Chandrika Kumaratunga’s initial term (just before her wings have been clipped by the Parivasa arrangement with the JVP, the 17th Amendment and the short UNP Government of 2001-2004).
We can’t go to Year Dot. This is clear. Nonetheless, considering that those who have been charged (but not investigated) are nonetheless about and given that this Government has come to clean up, so to speak, we ought to commence at least from 1994 which is when coalitions led by the SLFP initial came to energy. Most importantly it includes the period 2001-2004 when the UNP held sway. If there’s going to be adjust, it have to be underlined by wholesomeness, not revenge-intent.
These days we have a President who is also the Chairman of the principal celebration of the coalition led by the opponent he defeated. All those who supported ‘the corrupt regime’ have now pledged allegiance to President Maithripala Sirisena. He has as his essential coalition partner, the United National Party, which as well is not specifically a party of saints. A single of his important backers was ex President Chandrika Kumaratunge, a particular person described as Chaura Regina (The Thieving Queen).
It is good to clean up. It is necessary to investigate. It is non-negotiable that the constitution and institutional arrangement be reformed so that corruption can be stumped. Mark it with ‘vengeance’ and we can shed all illusions about this regime getting ‘better’ (neglect ‘compassionate’). Bring to book the crooks of the earlier regime by all implies, but let other crooks go free and you would be performing a wonderful disservice to those who voted for ‘change’.
*Malinda Seneviratne is the Chief Editor of ‘The Nation’ and his articles can be found at www.malindawords.blogspot.com
The US government has been accused of not providing access to data that is essential to investigate the ‘white flag case’.
In an interview with the Foreign Policy magazine, Steven Ratner – a professor of law at the University of Michigan adn ex-member of a UN Panel that examined the commission of mass atrocities that occurred in the final phase of the Sri Lankan war, created this remark as he commented on the concern of Stephen J Rapp -the US Ambassador at big for war crimes, stepping down right after five and a half years of service.
Ambassador Stephen J. Rapp
“Rapp had tiny achievement forcing American intelligence agencies to share details they’ve collected about human rights abuses abroad,” Ratner mentioned as he recalled a visit to Rapp’s workplace during the time Ratner was investigating war crimes in Sri Lanka on behalf of the U.N. panel set up by the U.N. Secretary-Basic Ban Ki-moon.
He had been looking for details concerning allegations that have been becoming levelled against the Sri Lankan officials about summarily executing senior rebel commanders soon after the United Nations brokered their surrender.
Ratner had heard a rumor that the U.S. Embassy had picked up some intercepts with data related to the case.
“They made it clear to us there have been pretty powerful constraints on what they were going to be capable to share with us. . . In the finish, they didn’t give us anything,” he mentioned.
There are several accusations against the US government like pressing the case for accountability for crimes selectively and passionately and advertising the international prosecution of political rivals.
“In Sri Lanka, Rapp has conceded that it is unrealistic to count on that Colombo will assent to conduct investigations into mass war crimes by government forces in the course of the bloody final months of the country’s civil war. But he has urged the government to at least exhume the bodies of victims in order to give their families some sense of closure,” the Foreign Policy magazine stated.
Ambassador Stephen J. Rapp visited Sri Lanka from January six-11 final year to meet with government and political leaders, civil society, and to tour former conflict zones.
Issuing a statement on his visit, the US Embassy Colombo last year mentioned: “He heard about the progress created because the conflict, but also the Sri Lankan people’s continuing desire for reconciliation, justice and accountability.
“During Ambassador Rapp’s discussions, he listened to eyewitness accounts about critical human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law, which includes these that occurred at the end of the war. In that context the government of the United States encourages the government of Sri Lanka to seek the truth by means of independent and credible investigations, and where relevant, have prosecutions.
“The United States remains committed to working with the Government of Sri Lanka to promote higher peace and prosperity for all of the individuals of Sri Lanka. It is important that all sides come to an agreement on events, have suitable redress, and move forward as a unified nation that upholds the rule of law and respects the principles of democratic governance.”
By far the most crucial problem for the constituents of Sri Lanka at the final week’s presidential election was about opening a pathway for the formation of excellent governance. Even so, just electing a new president does not develop good governance. A president and his/her government should enable, nurture and strengthen excellent governance by steadily institutionalizing political processes and advertising universal values that are intrinsic to very good governance. The new President, Maithripala Sirisena, and his revamped government have embarked on a journey with the proclaimed aim of establishing excellent governance, though some measures taken so far appear counter-productive and certain pronouncements appear rather utopian.
Nonetheless, I believe, we could contribute ingeniously to moving towards good governance – by engaging constructively, patiently and vigilantly – maintaining the momentum of all diverse forces that brought this unprecedented positive outcome for the individuals of Sri Lanka alive. What follows is a brief evaluation to see exactly where we are now ahead of we appear at the path ahead for reaching our aims.
Background of the election
The folks have taken component in the election campaign overwhelmingly and enthusiastically, though it was not totally totally free and fair, nor peaceful or democratic. Participation in the election was quite higher at 81.five percent. There was a substantial turn out by voters in the north. In spite of the partisan interpretation of final results by numerous groups with particular interests, this election can be deemed as the very first election since the 1990s exactly where a candidate was elected by the participation of the diverse spectrum of communities belonging to Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims. The problems connected to ethnic or religious troubles, which had been dominating the elections since the 1950s, did not play a major part in this election.
Unfortunately, the election occurred in an environment in which multifarious hurdles have been laid against the campaign of the widespread opposition candidate. The Rajapaksa campaign was heavily racialist and abundantly financed. Almost all state resources which includes human, material, economic and media were utilised against the opposition campaign. One particular of the significant concerns impacting all other vexed troubles in Sri Lanka – the national question – was not discussed at all.
The opposition’s election campaign, which highlighted the incumbent’s authoritarianism, corruption, fraud, waste, household nepotism and politicisation and militarisation of civil administration seems to have been effective in urban regions, but not as efficient in the rural locations, especially down south. The election campaign of the UNP has been more organised, coordinated, and properly-oiled and more grass-roots based. The assistance the frequent opposition candidate received from Tamils and Muslims improved, due to the authoritarian and mono-cultural method adopted by the Rajapaksa regime to stay in energy.
Election outcome
This election outcome has been and will be analysed in a lot of diverse methods according to the planet outlook of the analyst (which includes myself), and whose interests and privileges that analyst is trying to safeguard. Currently many interested parties like pro-Rajapaksas and nationalists with some from the Sri Lankan left groups have tried to interpret the election outcome by means of identity politics. While the ethnic breakdown of the electoral outcome may be not-so-important, it should not be below-emphasised. The abolition of executive presidency and appointment of independent commissions are being offered priority at this presidential election. There were a lot of other concerns highlighted throughout the election campaign such as good governance, rule of law and democratic practices, fight against corruption, cost of living, employment opportunities, and far better access to healthcare and education etc. Those on the left also raised the problem of the need to address the national question, but it did not acquire a lot traction.
In spite of the assistance of the Tamil National Alliance in the North and East and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress in the East and elsewhere, attributing the total election outcome just to ethnic or religious identity is an oversimplification. Although the overwhelming votes cast by the Tamils and Muslims of the North and East may have tipped the balance in favour of Maithripala Sirisena, the argument that the election outcome is in support of separatism or devolution of energy is misplaced, for the statistical breakdown of the election final results shows that 84% of the votes cast for Maithripala Sirisena came from the rest of the nation.
The Rajapaksa regime and its torch-bearers carried out a massive all island Tv and radio campaign primarily based on mono-cultural nationalistic and racialist propaganda. This could have influenced much more racialist thinking Sinhalese to vote for Rajapaksa, whilst much more Tamils would have been influenced to vote for the common opposition candidate. We are also conscious that some separatist groups and specific radical groups advocated boycotting the election. That was also an exercise of their bourgeois democratic proper. By carrying out so they efficiently forfeited their own democratic proper. They may possibly claim that they have collectively convinced about 20 % of the voters to stay away from voting, although this is disproved by the fact that this time there had been more men and women prepared to cast their vote in favour of one of the two key candidates.
I think the Tamil neighborhood wants to be applauded and welcomed for their participation in the election, in spite of the fierce propaganda of the pro-Rajapaksa elements of the preceding regime, and the constrictions placed on the opposition’s agenda of obtaining to keep the national safety status quo, and the unitary nature, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation. My conclusion is that given that the 1940s, this is the first election in the history of Sri Lanka, where ethnicity and religion did not play a major role in influencing the outcome of the election.
The immediate future
The President and the new Cabinet has assumed duties. Some secretaries have been appointed. The 100 day reforms plan has been launched. The greatest tips I could give to this new interim government, is that it should choose the ten most important issues pertinent to each and every department and Ministry, create appropriate policy calculi to address these problems and implement them. This will significantly help in creating the confidence of folks in the new President and the government. President, Ministers and Ministries need to have to take choices in consultation with every other in a participative manner. Deferment of considerable troubles or vacillation on decisive troubles could grow to be deadly for the future.
This is important because the Rajapaksas and Weerawansas will not stand idle. They have begun to spread the lie that they lost because of the voters in the north and east and the plantations. They are silent on the reality that they got portion of their votes because they had been able to use state sources to bribe, intimidate, frighten, and cajole some by raising the spectre of LTTE and separatism in the national psyche of the Sinhala Buddhist majority.
The Rajapaksa plot to keep in power utilizing the military and emergency laws was thwarted, thanks to the integrity of Elections Commissioner, Inspector General of Police and the Army Commander – to all of whom we are grateful. This anti-democratic behaviour demands to be provided ample exposure amongst the people and the suspects need to be charged according to the law. Some of the suspects in this regard have gone overseas, almost certainly with the tacit expertise of some bureaucrats, who have been directly helping them previously. Some of the prominent youth organisations who have been closely operating with Rajapaksas and at times with Nil Balakaya (Blue Corps) have been trying at all costs to paint a democratic picture of the Rajapaksa’s reign. When required in future, they will no doubt try to support resurrect the remnants of the Rajapaksa regime dressed up in democratic garments.
There have been a lot of criminal allegations against the Rajapaksa regime like the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, disappearance of Frontline Socialist Party activists Lalith and Kuhan, assassination of Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, the massacre of 17 help workers of Action Contre la Faim, the massacre of five higher college students in Trinco, and assassination of arrested criminal suspects mostly in Colombo. There are allegations to the effect that unarmed and peaceful civilians have been killed during strikes, peaceful protests and for the duration of the civil war. The Rajapaksa regime openly, unhesitatingly and flagrantly violated the election laws by employing violence, intimidation and bribery. Such criminal activities and offences require to be effectively and independently investigated and the perpetrators need to be brought to justice.
Conclusion
The new regime is taking its 1st baby actions in opening up a more democratic space for civil society to operate. Nevertheless, in the implementation of its one hundred day program just before going for the subsequent Common Elections, the new regime is getting forced to rely on at least some of the existing politicians, bureaucrats and systems of the previous autocratic regime. Obviously, this situation is not in favour of the anticipated journey towards establishing excellent governance and rule of law. The new President and the regime want to remain vigilant in this regard. Vacillation and marching time will be deadly and tantamount to committing suicide.
The non-violent regime change was mostly a outcome of the social discontent of the suffering masses of the nation like workers and peasants. The non-Sinhala communities have expressed their wish for democratic reform and a way forward to negotiate and resolve problems certain to their communities. If the hopes and expectations of these masses are not fulfilled, then the predicament will be conducive for emerging struggles. The initial step in the right direction will be for the new regime to take bold measures with the consent of the people to appropriately address such concerns in the extended term interest of the individuals and the nation.
In the meantime, the remnants of the former Rajapaksa regime will attempt their very best to resurrect the bogey of racialism and nationalism by resorting to the lowest levels of deception. This tendency and the autocratic and repressive nature of the Rajapaksa regime compelled numerous folks, groups and organisations to come forward and assistance the typical opposition candidate for overturning the autocratic executive presidential technique.
This unprecedented dynamic collective that was not involved in partisan politics, opened the doors for this change of direction. We need to have to maintain this momentum for modify alive, by means of sustaining the peoples’ desire for modify, so that any hesitation or vacillation on the part of the new regime can be prevented. Then the new regime will have no alternative but to implement what they have pledged during the election campaign. Regardless of the possibility of deferments and vacillations of the new regime, this social collective need to be much more organised, energetic and vigilant so as to maintain up its momentum for adjust lively.
The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organisation has stressed upon the fact that they have never promoted anti-Muslim campaigns nor utilized hatred or violence as a tool in their activities.
BBS Gnanasara
In a statement issued to wish the new President and Prime Minister, the organisation has stated that given that its establishment in 2012, they have only worked towards safeguarding Sinhala Buddhists under a clear vision and program but that certain comments they produced have been misinterpreted and exploited to market the notion that they are an anti-Muslim group.
“We have by no means at any point utilized hatred or violence as a tool but due to specific actions carried out by other groups, the media as effectively as particular anti-Buddhist groups have misunderstood us,” the organisation has stated.
The BBS has noted that even though their initial strategy was to stay neutral at the Presidential elections that just concluded, they decided to help Mahinda Rajapaksa as a outcome of the wrongful suggestions that were integrated in the election manifesto of the typical candidate relating to religious tensions in Sri Lanka and the all round opposition in the common Opposition camp concerning the BBS.
They have stated they view the votes of the North/Eastern Tamils as a deciding aspect in the election.
“Although the North/Eastern votes are now being interpreted as a vote cast to oust the former President who won the war than a correct reflection of their help for the new President, we observe it by means of an unbiased mindset. We feel that their voting for a Sinhalese leader and working to make sure his victory is a blow against the separatist forces and different international groups that attempt to divide this nation,” the BBS has stated.
The group has stated that it shows the will of the Tamils to live in a united nation and has emphasized on the reality that the government should work challenging in order to guarantee it turns into reality than it merely remaining an expectation.
“This is a golden chance for this government to win the trust of Sinhala Buddhists and this is a chance that we must seize to rid ourselves of the labels of becoming racists and a creation of the former government,” it has additional noted.
The BBS has also called upon the government to think about gravely, the concerns they have highlighted for the duration of the previous thirty months regarding the safeguarding of Buddhism and Buddha Shasana and the security of Buddhists, pointing out it would help in establishing the trust of the Sinhala Buddhists in the new government.
I know the campaign of Maithripala Sirisena for the Presidency of Sri Lanka was based mainly on receiving rid of that obscenity of modern day governance in Sri Lanka, an Executive Presidency gone stark raving mad.
However, what emerged as the campaign progressed was a huge surge of anger and resentment about the enormous corruption with which the Rajapaksas had swamped the nation and the reality that people realized that this was not anything “out there” but anything that had already established to have major implications for every Banda and Biso and in which ocean of filth their progeny and the progeny of these progeny would surely drown if permitted to develop.
Yes, the implications of the wanton spending and lining of political nests with ermine of unbelievable worth had grow to be evident to every single man and woman in Sri Lanka’s rural regions. And as Sir John Kotelawela and his UNP found in 1956, this could create a political wave of Tsunami proportions. Yes, even though it is the tenth anniversary of that terrible event hammering a huge portion of Sri Lanka’s coastline, this political tsunami promises to wreak havoc even more broadly in our island nation, from its beaches to its highest mountains. The difference, although, is that it is a benign storm.
We can and must harness the energy that was released on January eightth in the manner most positive for our country these days and tomorrow.
How do you do this?
The main concern ought to be to keep away from petty vengeance as too often has grow to be the Sri Lankan tradition immediately soon after an election. In order to ensure this and stay away from the senseless vengeance that has completed harm to a nation and its individuals a lot more occasions than I care to bear in mind, we need to employ the law as it was meant to be utilized: to punish the guilty and give solace to their victims. Such an exercise will have yet another restorative outcome: it will resurrect practices of law and justice to a point that people start to recognize that what is in statute books and in the criminal code has validity. This has been diminished to the point that it has disappeared from public perception.
The catharsis that is most needed after all these years of corruption and violence in the name of “governance” is a most needed issue if we are to restore our island nation to one thing resembling the Beacon of Democracy it when was in this area.
We don’t need kangaroo courts or the Asian equivalent of Ku Klux Clan in white hoods to punish the guilty. We require the application of current law to bring to book these who’ve robbed us blind, with patronage for that endeavour extending to the very highest levels of this government which blithely claimed that “anything goes” insofar as “our people” (“apeyminissu”) had been concerned.
Criminal conduct calls for the application of criminal law. That mentioned, trying to drag the mountain of criminal activity through current legal avenues will just result in roadblocks of unprecedented proportions and set even the current court systems in backlog mode for years to come, putting even the hobbling apology for jurisprudence that exists today in reverse gear.
If require be, more judges and prosecutors should be employed and the (public) funds recovered from the thieves should be employed to meet at least some of the further costs. While this will surely imply funds effectively spent, it will hardly make amends for the huge harm inflicted on this country in so several approaches. Make no mistake even so, this is a very first Essential first step in the work to restore national pride and self-respect and to bring back the rule of law.
The placatory statements made by the erstwhile opposition’s leaders for the duration of the lead up to the Presidential election about President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his henchmen not getting prosecuted for their criminality need to have to be treated as just that: placatory statements and small far more. Prosecutions need to be launched with the least attainable delay. In this case, justice delayed will, indeed, be justice denied to the enormous number of victims and not, as is generally the case, to the accused only.
Those businessmen who played “footsie” with the Rajapaksa Regime so that their buyer-gouging enterprises prospered have currently begun their attempts to influence the course of vital justice, seeking to have these monumental miscreants handled with kid gloves, just in case they return and these second-price capitalists need to have their patronage again. This ought to NOT, on any account, be permitted since the individuals count on the incoming President to do what each and every new broom is expected to do: Sweep clean!
We can and have to make the pursuit of justice our No. 1 priority not only because it is the correct point to do but due to the fact we owe it to ourselves if we are to claim to be, in any way, a civil and civilized nation.
As for the apologists who went prior to international tribunals and the television channels of this world, blatantly lying in defence of their masters in government, they have to be exposed absolutely and totally for what they are, liars, prevaricators and totally amoral sub-humans. I have one specific individual in thoughts who now sits front and centre on Mr. Sirisena’s platforms. This fruit of his father’s loins did not fall far from the paternal tree (if I may be permitted to mix my metaphors) and I cannot but add a little sidebar to that allegation. The man’s father I’ve heard praised for getting “helped” men and women from his village to get good government jobs when he (the sycophantic father) was setting new records in sleazy stooging for the delectation of his progeny and the globe at huge. What his admiring referees fail to see is that the man was “helping” his kinsmen and other folks from his hometown get jobs that would otherwise have gone to those chosen in the regular scheme of factors soon after being judged on their merits and suitability for the positions concerned. This “pulling of strings” is devoid of anything resembling fairness even though parading as some thing praiseworthy. Obscene! Like the man himself and his plummy-voiced progeny!
As for these who’ve skirted criminal offenses just barely but have, nevertheless, completed what passes for the “public good” massive damage by the propagation of outright lies and deceit, they require to be exposed, chapter and verse, for what they mentioned and, stemming from that, who they truly are. You may possibly not be in a position to put them in jail, but you can certainly minimize their effectiveness when they return to the trail of misdirection yet another time, as they surely will. That most of them, sans their Rajapaksa patronage, might finish up in the unemployment line would be poor enough punishment for the untold harm they have carried out individuals that they have targeted in this country not to mention the entire area of public data.
I would suggest that each and every appointment primarily based on political grounds created by the Rajapaksa regime be scrutinized in complete public view and, where necessary, these who’ve been picked in complete contravention of fairness and the recommendations existing for such appointments be terminated with instant effect. This have to be carried out by a group or group of individuals about whose integrity and honesty there need to be no doubt. A hard bill to fill? Perhaps, but some thing eminently “do-in a position.”
Another matter, especially offered the truth that Sri Lankans’ appropriate to access info has been seriously curtailed by the Rajapaksa Horde, is the matter of Net Service Providers blocking their subscribers’ access to a selection of internet sites carrying details about Sri Lanka. The conduct of those in telecommunication companies such as Dialog and Sri Lanka Telecom need to be investigated and, if there is a prima facie case to be made against them for removing a simple democratic proper from citizens of our nation, they must be prosecuted with out hesitation right away.
If all of the preceding sounds like some sort of national cleansing, it is meant to be just that due to the fact I am convinced that nothing brief of an exercising of that nature will suffice to restore even a modicum of decency to this nation in the conduct of its affairs.
This piece would surely lack balance if I didn’t comment on an entity that has emerged as strong beyond the level of its public assistance: the Jathika Hela Urumaya. This bunch with a track record in racism and xenophobia only second to the Bodu Bala Sena, are beginning to appear like the proverbial tail wagging the coalition dog. This must finish and, even if their presence is needed in the short term for strategic motives, they should be kept on the shortest of leashes. They fundamentally run counter to the central thrust of the public assistance for the Coalition and their chauvinism need to NOT be permitted to intrude on that Coalition’s efforts to establish fairness, justice and equity in Sri Lanka.
How can you help? Make confident that you take every chance to hold the feet of these in decision-making positions to the fire. Absolutely nothing else will suffice and keep in mind, if we do not make sure that this is done, what we achieved on January 8th could all be for naught.
Retruning back from Nedunkerni and Mulathivu soon after an election monitoring physical exercise today I was horrified to see two huge armed automobiles and automobiles carrying soldiers near the Kelaniya bridge. Eventhough I could have avoided the pay a visit to the message I received challenged me as a human rights defender to be present with the people as they exercised their correct to vote. On the otherhand I am glad that the check out now compelled me to share with the Sri Lankan citizens who will be certainly celebrating one more victory the huge political challenge ahead of us.
Monitoring elections is tiring if we take a political vision into this procedure. As a member of Mothers and Daughters of Lanka I agreed to be involved in monitoring realising the challenge that this the approach is intrisically linked to voter education and literacy on democracy. I am also glad that the approach we initiated during the Northern Provincial Council Election has now paved the way to develop neighborhood primarily based interactions for reconcilitation bnetween Sinhala and Tamil ladies. For us this vote was critical since this extremely interaction was frequently disrupted in the atmosphere of surveillance nurtured by the Gotabaya regime.
We seasoned that the space to conduct a free and fair election has been completely eroded beyond democratic norms. There is credible evidence to indicate that the Mahinda regime employed Executive powerwhich instigated worry in our society.
From all the reported election associated violence and violations, we saw the blatant manner in which executive powers were utilised in favour of a single candidate. That is Mahinda Rajapaksa. From the use of state resources to the inaction of the neighborhood police to remove illegal banners and cutouts, the political violence unleashed against the joint opposition rallies, attack on opposition leaders and their election propaganda offices clearly demonstrated that our get in touch with to hold cost-free and fair elections was totally rejected and ignored. For the duration of the previous couple of weeks our members in numerous districts continued to share details connected to the violations and violence which are now effectively know and published in the media. I believe that election monitoring is not a procedure which is restricted to tabulating violence and violations. Monitoring should also play an essential role in facilitating a level playing field crucial to holding cost-free and fair elections. Our very first expertise in election monitoring was gained in 1994 when we as members of MDL participated in monitoring the then Presidnetial Election which was also marred with violence and intimidation. It is unfortunate that we see the identical violent trends and the use of executive powers sustained and continued over 20 years in our nation. As citizen’s we have not been capable to effectively address the use of state sources , election violence and breaking of election laws over the previous three decades.
It is ironical that a nation and a leadership which boasted of ending terrorism and terrorism connected violence was not been capable to produce mechanisms and a culture which respect the freedom to physical exercise 1 of the basic democratic rights – the appropriate to use our vote in a free and fair manner. We saw how the military was used in the course of the Northern Provincial Council for election campaigns. The same fear continued these days which produced me rush to Vanni.
As I toured Vanni meeting ladies the election even though remaining unreal to them posed challenges to me. Some ladies told me that the Sinhala leaders have not looked after them. They also told us that this vote is a reflection of the need to have to live freely in the North. I was informed with tears in their eyes that the samurdhi receipients were named to the office at Nedunkerni with the promise of some funds. Females have come leaving all their other tasks some even borrowing cash to travel. As officials were not capable to continue with the discussion as the crowd was dispersed by the District Secretary the females had to go back residence with nothing at all in their hand. This brought pain to them.
Receipients of Samurdhi who are the poorest of the poor were herded to attend the rallies of Mahinda Rajapaksa the candidate. They had no choice. Fearing that their only indicates of survival would be removed from them the ladies went. Eventhough on the day of the election we declare that `it has been peacefully concluded’ lot of work goes into make certain such an environment. This situation is regretable given that democratic norms and practices are not respected as a organic norm in our nation. Both regional and international civil society has to preserve on reminding the Sri Lankan Executive that there are obligations and duties associated to making certain democratic norms. Under Mahinda regime the scenario has worsened with the state and government combining create a an authocracy to control the grass-roots .
The smaller units of political powers in the village which is named our voter constitutency is fully controlled by the Executive. The leader of the Pradeshiya Sabaha, the neighborhood authority who is a UPFA supporter becoming a thug, a particular person connected to the underworld and closely involved with the member of Parliament is wielding his/her power in the electorate. All appointments and rewards are designed and defined to maintain the poorest of the poor beneath the handle of the political authroity and their political power, the correct to vote is in the grips of the executive. Consequently directoves issued by the can be ignored and rejected. Eventhough he managed to stop couple of incidents related to distribution of `gifts’ during the election period the Commissioner could not manage the whole approach.
We as civil society continued to campaign for the estbalishment of an independent election commission following yje Indian example and the introduction of an electronic voting system. Sadly Sri Lanka has failed to take good lessons from it is neigbour in South Asia. Our efforts will have to be strengthened for the future. The forces who pledged a alter promised a transformation of the existing political culture. I have seen `this hope’ as individuals came to vote in the North.
The vote is an indication that the campaign for democracy, reconciliation and demilitarisation has emerged victorious. But we have a tremendous challenge. I am compelled to say that the North has voted for adjust. It is our duty to deliver the freedom for the people. The females in the North who are tillers of the land want their rights. Their faces and tears once once more reminded me of the distinction among my reality and their life experiences. The huge distinction of votes among the swan and the beetle leaf in the Tamil homeland has to be understood appropriately. Sinhala political leader who are going to lead this country towards changhe has been trusted by them to take them towards this new future. I hope and pray we will not let them down.
I salute the citizen’s of Sri Lanka for igniting their conscience soon after numerous years.
The Christian Solidarity Movement has expressed their surprise over the silence observed by the Catholic Bishops Conference in Sri Lanka over the derogatory remarks that are being produced against Mannar Bishop Rev. Rayappu Joseph blessing the common Opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena.
The CSM releasing a media statement over the remarks that have been produced by particular major government Ministers as effectively as in state media more than Sirisena meeting Bishop Joseph on December 30 to seek his blessings, has pointed out that when President Rajapaksa too approached the very same Bishop for the exact same goal no problem was raised and neither have any remarks getting produced branding him as the ‘Tiger Leader’ or the ‘Tiger Bishop’.
Although expressing their concern over the verbal attacks that have been launched by the politicians, the CSM has called for a clarification on whether the views expressed by such politicians is reflective of the government’s point of view.
In addition the CSM has pointed out that these comments are an indication of the abysmal depths that the regional politics have fallen into due to the entry of undisciplined and uneducated persons entering politics.
The CSM has also urged the Bishops Conference to raise the concern at the national level and to stand by their fellow brother Bishop who has been the ‘voice of the voiceless’ for the people of Mannar as properly as the entire of Sri Lanka.
We publish under the letter in complete
Derogatory remarks made about Bishop Rayappu Joseph of Mannar diocese.
Widespread opposition candidate Mr. Maithripala Sirisena on an election campaign to the north met the Mannar Bishop Rayappu Joseph on 30 December and sought his blessings in view of the January 08 presidential poll. This occasion was then utilised in the government electronic media as an advertisement in a very uncouth manner, throwing derogatory comments about Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph that it was from the ‘Tiger Leader’ that the widespread candidate Mr. Maithripala Sirisena received blessings for the forthcoming presidential election.
However, a couple of days later the President Rajapaksha as well approached the very same Bishop for the same objective but there was no such a remark created by any individual about a ‘tiger bishop’ blessing the incumbent President.
We, Christians and concerned folks, are disturbed and perturbed more than Bishop of Mannar being the object of a verbal attack of a personal nature launched by the politicians with self interest at this crucial juncture of our history. A clarification is now needed regardless of whether the views expressed by such politicians is reflective of the Government’s point of view.
We get in touch with on politicians to quit the harassment of Bishop Rayappu immediately. Unlike the most politicians who have served themselves than their people, Bishop Rayappu Joseph has fostered common good, the spirit of humanism and human rights. We like to reiterate that Bishop Joseph has looked after his flock – not just Catholic Christians, but Christians of all denominations, non-Christians, and other folks. He is not only the leader of the Catholic diocese in Mannar, but a humanitarian, who had stood for the rights of all Sri Lankans.
Generating such vulgar accusations on a religious leader merely to acquire political mileage is quite unethical. It is an indication as to what an abysmal depth our politics have fallen into, due to the entry of the undisciplined and uneducated persons into politics.
We as the CSM condemn the uncouth and unethical remarks about Bishop Rayappu, created by a single of the major government ministers as soon as once more at the final rally held at Kesbewa in help of the incumbent President.
At the same time we are surprised to note the silence observed by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka on this matter. We urge the Bishops’ conference, to raise this situation at the national level and to stand by their fellow brother bishop who had been the ‘voice of the voiceless’ people of Mannar and in the complete island of Sri Lanka.
Christian Solidarity Movement – 281, Deans Road, Maradana
The Asian Human Rights Commission expresses concern relating to the safety of the common candidate of the opposition Maithripala Sirisena, who has faced numerous attacks during the past several days.
“He has himself alerted the public to the threat to his life in a statement he produced yesterday (4th January 2015).We urge the Government and the Commissioner of Elections to give all the protection that he deserves as a presidential candidate if there is to be a totally free and fair election. We also urge all election monitors, nearby and foreign, to give priority to monitor the protection of the frequent opposition candidate.” the AHRC mentioned.
Issuing a statement right now the AHRC stated “A cost-free and fair election is a right of the folks of Sri Lanka and this appropriate has been entrenched in the history of the country starting from 1931 when the adult franchise was introduced in Sri Lanka. For a extended period of time, there had been a tradition of free of charge and fair elections and peaceful handing more than of energy from one government to another. The disruption of this tradition sadly started with the introduction of the 1978 Constitution and in numerous degrees election violence has been skilled. The worst types of electoral violence had been skilled during the presidential election of 2010. Following the announcement of the elections to be held on 8th January 2015, there have been repeated attacks on opposition political rallies.
“The Asian Human Rights Commission has been alerted by several persons who are anxious about the security of the common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena due to the intensification of attacks on his political campaigns. Consequently, we are producing this contact for guaranteeing a free of charge and fair election by desisting from any kind of violence perpetrated ahead of, during and soon after the elections.
“Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), it is a proper of the individuals to pick a government of their choice. A choice of the folks could be made only when an atmosphere is designed, that is conducive to the workout of this proper of the people. Any violence meted out against any of the presidential candidates in the election is an attack on this freedom of decision of the folks itself. Such attacks consequently, are attacks against the nation itself.
“We hope that in the course of this solemn moment when the folks will workout their choice, that the Government of Sri Lanka and the Election Commissioner will do all within their energy to respect the men and women and produce the enabling atmosphere for the individuals to discharge their solemn duties by exercising their right to vote.”
We believe that the Presidential Election in January 2015 is an chance offered to all men and women in Sri Lanka to make an crucial, considerable and a creative choice, in respect of the future of their own nation and her men and women. The run up to the election thus far has not been satisfactory or acceptable at all, from the point of view of the folks of the country. It seems that the folks have been taken for granted and are becoming treated as objects with no sense of intelligence or ability to understand the reality. Deception, dishonesty and disbelief are all about them.
Consequently we think that there is an urgent need to have for a inventive code of conduct on the part of all engaged in the election, to be followed at least throughout the extremely brief time prior to the election, on the day of the election and in the post- election period.
The violations of the laws of the country in general and especially in respect of the election is unprecedented, than ever just before. Violations are accomplished openly and shamelessly with complete awareness. It is hard to think that any individual contesting an election is not conscious of the law of the nation pertaining to elections. That means that such violations are carried out consciously and purposely. It is the responsibility of all political parties to make sure that such violations by their own candidates and their supporters are prevented. The voters must be respected and trusted. Opportunity and the environment should be created for them to use their franchise with no any force or stress. Their basic appropriate to use and workout the freedom granted to them by the constitution, need to be ensured.
The violation of the laws and specially rigging of elections has not been strange in Sri Lanka. We appeal specially to those in authority to facilitate the atmosphere so that such rigging in all forms is prevented. We have observed in the previous that all sorts of excuses have been given by the division of elections and other state departments and institutions, for not being capable to avert such action. Without having negatively saying that measures can not be taken and are not within one’s purview, it is the duty of all in authority to positively look for indicates and avenues inside the authority vested in them, to curtail ill-practices. If not the so-referred to as impossibility will stay forever and almost certainly will turn out to be part of the accepted norms. The men and women of the country expect them to refrain from providing excuses and fulfil their duty totally, so that the will and the need of the people will prevail. The voter is conscious that the Commissioner of Elections is vested with all authority and energy throughout an election, to ensure freedom and fairness. It is in that self-confidence that we appeal to the Commissioner of Elections to use all state machinery to avoid any breaking of laws. We also appeal to all candidates and their supporters to honour the laws of the nation pertaining to the elections and refrain from any violation, by use of force.
Post-election violence and intimidation are absolutely nothing new in our country. The violence, intimidation and force employed already during this election, are enough for us to get in touch with for an assurance from the candidates. Correct democracy does not accommodate violence. Violence and use of public sources do not speak for free of charge and fair elections. These who continue to vouch for ‘no violence’ are not only appearing to be, but are certainly blind, deaf, dumb and are dishonest. Such persons must not be entrusted with the governance of our country. Victory need to be accomplished by playing the game inside the accepted guidelines and norms. No intimidation of one’s opponents need to be permitted under any situations. Their security has to be ensured. This can only come about if the candidates and their supporters are capable to accept with humility, the choice of the people. On the other hand the civil society, the religious groups and other community groups want to come out to prevent such cruelty and viciousness. Whoever is elected will be the President of all Sri Lankans. We are all known as to gather together and develop our nation and the nation.
It is a known fact that undue pressure is brought upon voters by using psychological as nicely as contemporary methods of communication. Spread of fear among ordinary folks is a frequent practice. We have observed with much pain and distress the pollution of the atmosphere, with posters, banners, hoardings, excessively. It is much more than what is necessary to communicate a message, there-by once again bringing undue pressure on people’s minds. Exhibition of all religious signs, photos of religious areas and personalities for campaign purposes is contrary to decent publicity in a civilized society. I do believe that such action depicts one’s bankruptcy. Does this imply that such persons have currently run quick of troubles and policies to speak about?
The state machinery is entrusted with the activity of keeping law and order and making sure a peaceful poll. The Police has a specific function in this activity and the state officers in charge want the corporation of the ordinary folks as properly as these closely engaged in the polls, to fulfill their duty. It goes without having saying that political interference has been increasingly spreading with impunity in the current previous. This is a threat to democratic values and structures that we in Sri Lanka have so sacredly safe guarded more than numerous decades. Our appeal is that all concerned will extend their fullest corporation to the Commissioner of Elections and his group, collectively with the staff of the Elections Secretariat to conduct a cost-free and a fair Presidential Election without having any interference or intimidation.
We appear forward to a post-election Sri Lanka with Democracy, Good Governance, Rule of Law, concern for Social Justice and the extended awaited Reconciliation and Healing of Memories and the Healing of the History of our nation. It is only then, the people of our nation will reap the full advantage of the peace dividend.
There are two main candidates – Mahinda Rajapaksa and ‘Common Opposition candidate’ Maithripala Sirisena.
The election was known as by Rajapaksa two years before it was due due to the fact of a slide in his reputation as judged from the recent Provincial Council Elections. It is critical to know that he had two much more years as President when he called the election. The significance is that he has claimed, with some strange reasoning, that even if he loses, he will continue as President for two far more years (if he wins, the two years will be added to the 6-year term – creating it 8 years).
With the Opposition in disarray and unable to locate a credible candidate, Rajapaksa was so confident of victory that he even said that he would be the only candidate. He failed to see that the attainable candidate was Maithripala Sirisena, his personal Overall health Minister and Common Secretary of his party (the Sri Lanka Freedom Celebration – SLFP).
With no warning, on 21 November 2014, Sirisena stated that he would be the “Common Opposition Candidate’ to contest Rajapaksa. He blasted the Rajapaksa regime:
“The entire socioeconomic and political systems of this country have been taken over by 1 family. They have ruined this country that is now engulfed in corruption and blatant abuse of power. It is against this that I am coming forward as the common candidate of the opposition”.
Holding the President accountable, he said, “thuggery, embezzlement, crime, drug mafia, nepotism and corruption have institutionalized beneath the Executive Presidency but alas President Rajapaksa or his government has carried out tiny to arrest this horrible and harmful situation”.
Going on to say what he would do, if elected, he went on:
“I will abolish the Executive Presidency in one hundred days soon after becoming elected as the President. I will restore the rule of law by reactivating the 17th Amendment to the Constitution and make the Police, Elections, Public Service and the Judicial Service Commissions fully independent. The President will be created answerable to the legislature and develop a people’s government that take pleasure in real peace, prosperity and happiness”.
Sadly he did not say what he will do about the significant troubles facing the Tamil individuals in the North and East who are beneath military rule, the absolute require to demilitarise the Tamil location or let internationally credible human rights organisations into the nation.
He was well conscious of the dangers. Referring to the Rajapaksa junta he mentioned, “They will do every thing attainable to tarnish my image and will even go to the extent of murder”.
I would rather not print the words utilized by Rajapaksa when Sirisena went to hand in his resignation as Health Minister. Safety employees advised Sirisena to leave even though he was nonetheless in a position to do so. It was sound suggestions given what happened to ‘Loku Athula’, a senior SLFP politician, who had decided to back Sirisena. I will describe this outrage later.
The help Sirisena had was overwhelming and cut across political and celebration divisions and has continued to grow.
The election is a lot more than an try at a regime change. It is an try to dismantle the Rajapaksa Family autocracy and replace it with one thing that is more acceptable. It is, by far, one particular of the most crucial elections in recent occasions in Sri Lanka which could have far reaching consequences for the country.
Getting a contest in between two Sinhalese politicians to elect what in effect is a Sinhalese President, there has been some speculation no matter whether this is of any consequence to the Tamil folks in the North and East – the suggestion getting that they must boycott the election as they did in 2005. However, the feeling nowadays is quite diverse. Several Tamils in the North and East want to vote. The query is no matter whether they will be in a position to do so in an location which is an Army-run military state.
With no credible election monitors and with plans afoot to commit extensive vote rigging, such as violence to avert folks from voting, the validity of the outcome will be doubtful, specifically if Rajapaksa wins. On 29 December 2014, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon telephoned the Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister and conveyed his “strong expectation” that the Government of Sri Lanka will make certain “the peaceful and credible conduct” of its upcoming Presidential election. Ban Ki-moon would have restored his vanishing credibility had he said that the UN was sending election monitors to see that the benefits have been credible.
Some crucially important points
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, his brothers and scores of his family have run (or, as Sirisena place it, “ruined”) Sri Lanka. Some 70% of Government expenditure is in the hands of this family. It has turn out to be a ‘family business’. If Rajapaksa goes, so will they.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President Rajapaksa’a brother, an American citizen, is one of the most potent people, if not the most effective individual in Sri Lanka.
Supposedly the ‘Defence Secretary’, in reality he is the de facto President of Sri Lanka, his brother only becoming the de jure President.
He is also a single of the most violent men and women Sri Lanka has ever made. He could get in touch with the senior editor of a significant newspaper a “f…..g pig who eats shit! Shit! Shit!” and get away with it.
A former Army Officer, he has absolute control of the Armed Forces and Police. He is a lot more than capable of launching a military coup to take over the nation.
Sri Lanka’s politically active Buddhist monks, the curse of Sri Lanka for more than half a century, are as bigoted as they come. They will oppose any degree of power-sharing, however minimal, with the Tamils. For these Sinhala-Buddhist ethnoreligious bigots, Sri Lanka is a Sinhala-Buddhist nation. Neither Rajapaksa nor Sirisena will be prepared to challenge their bigotry and send them back to their temples to preach one particular of the fantastic religions in the globe, Buddhism, and not get into ethnoreligious chauvinism and violence.
If Sirisena has to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with 1 of these chauvinist groups, the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), which he has completed to get their assistance to get elected as President (as Prime Minister S.W. R. D. Bandaranaike did in 1956 and was later assassinated by 1 of them), one wonders how he can do anything to address the ‘National Problem’ facing the Tamils.
A rundown of the candidates
Mahinda Rajapaksa
A rundown is necessary to remind the Sinhalese folks of the regime that they are under. The Tamils do not need to have to be reminded – it is a everyday truth of life.
Sri Lanka has never been run by a more violent or corrupt regime than the 1 run by Rajapaksa since his election as President in November 2005.
Considering that his election he has launched what was clearly a genocidal war against the Tamil individuals. Claiming that this was to ‘defeat Tamil Tiger terrorism’ it was considerably more than that. It was to crush the Tamil people into accepting Sri Lanka as a Sinhala-Buddhist nation.
He has continued to destroy the Tamil men and women in what is greatest described as ‘slow genocide’. The Tamil individuals in the North and East have been handed over to the Sri Lankan (Sinhalese) Armed Forces who can do what they want with no accountability. It is a single of the most brutal armies in the globe that treats the location they run as ‘occupied territory’ and the men and women in it (Tamils and Muslims) as the ‘spoils of war’.
The Tamil folks have lost their lands in land-grabs by the Armed Forces, and they have been prevented from earning a living (agriculture, fishing and commercial activity – all of which have been taken more than by the Armed Forces or handed over to Sinhalese brought from the South).
Torture, sexual violence, detention with out charge or trial at undisclosed places, and involuntary disappearances are every day occurrences for the Tamils in the North and East.
Militarisation is at an unprecedented and fully unacceptable level with a single member of the military for each 5 (Tamil) civilians.
Sinhalese men and women are getting relocated in the Tamil North and East by the Rajapaksa regime in a determined effort to modify the demography and make the Tamils a minority even in the area exactly where they are a majority. This ‘Sinhalisation’ may well nicely not be reversible whoever takes over as President now or ever.
Buddhism is being forced down the throats of the Tamils who are Hindu or Christian in what has been referred to as ‘Buddhistisation’.
Tamil children are becoming taught by Sinhalese (several of them soldiers) who have no experience in teaching or even of the language (Tamil).
The Tamil folks have suffered immensely beneath Rajapaksa’s regime. The question of the Tamil individuals in the North and East voting for him simply does not arise. The only exceptions are those who support Tamil thugs whose leaders are in Rajapaksa’s government.
The international investigation into human rights abuse, at present getting carried out by a team appointed by the Higher Commissioner for Human Rights, has been obstructed in every possible way by Rajapaksa and his cronies. It is likely to come down difficult on the Rajapaksa regime when their Report is submitted in March 2015.
In addition to gross violation of human rights and crimes against humanity, Rajapaksa has tampered with the Constitution to suit his own political interests and hunger for power. This will impact all the ethnic groups in the country.
His selection to scrap a two-term limit for Presidents through the 18th Amendment has been criticized across the board, for ignoring democratic conventions. The Amendment reeks of authoritarianism, standard of Rajapaksa. Below it, the President has the power to appoint the Chairman and members of the Election Commission, Public Service Commission, National Police Commission, Human Rights Commission, Permanent Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption, Finance Commission, Delimitation Commission, Chief Justice and Judges of the Supreme Court, the President and Judges of the Court of Appeal, Members of the Judicial Service Commission, Lawyer General, Auditor General, Ombudsman and Secretary General of Parliament. There is no doubt whatsoever that Rajapaksa has employed this to make sure that his loyalists are appointed to these strong constitutional posts to profligate his writ unabatedly. The United Nations Human Rights Council has already criticized this amendment as being violative of the human rights of the citizens of Sri Lanka.
Because the announcement of the election which will take spot on 8 January 2015, there has been no space for any voice of dissent, as Rajapaksa is abusing the state machinery to conduct arbitrary surveillance, detention, and considerably much more, of his detractors. The democratic fabric of Sri Lanka is beneath serious pressure, with authoritarianism obtaining crept into governance as properly. The state apparatus is subservient to the Rajapaksa loved ones, rather than the men and women of the country. the Police and Armed Forces are openly putting up placards praising Rajapaksa. What they will do on election day is apparent.
Rajapaksa heads one of the most significant governments in the globe, with more than one hundred ministers and deputy ministers in workplace. It is a vast network of patronage and control. Politicians only thrive if they are inside this ‘ruling club’. The true government is significantly smaller, concentrated about the three Rajapaksa brothers, who manage almost 70% of the state spending budget. Only one household has captured the country’s economy, administration as well as the management of the ruling Political celebration.
The President’s brother, Gotabaya, presides over the potent Defence ministry. An additional brother, Basil, is properly in charge of the Economy, as Minister for economic development. Just to round items off, elder brother Chamal is the parliamentary speaker, while Mahinda’s son is a wheeler and dealer member in numerous matters.
It is by means of this network that the Rajapaksa family has been exercising improper influences by carrying out inducements, pressures, threats or interference in the working of the legislature, judiciary and the executive. With the electoral method underway, Rajapaksa and his coteries have diverted their might to preparations for massive scale rigging.
Cronies of Rajapaksa control the major businesses of the country. An election needs funding, and this one, requirements a lot more of it, for rigging and malpractices! This funds is readily discovered by members of the loved ones and their cronies who have robbed Sri Lanka considering that Rajapaksa came into energy. Money is not a dilemma – as we will see.
Media censorship is so tight that even the Sinhalese (72% of the nation) do not know what is going on in the country. What they do know is that the expense of living has soared due to maladministration, stealing by Rajapaksa cronies and his family members, the ‘need’ to preserve a massive Army of some 300,000 – the highest per capita of the civilian population in the planet. This is claimed to be for the protection of the nation. in reality it is for protection of the regime.
Law and order have collapsed and been replaced by the rule of the armed thug and hooligans.
Bribery and corruption are rampant at all levels from the very top to the bottom – adding to the expense of living since it is not achievable to get anything done with out a bribe.
Democracy has been replaced by a Totalitarian regime beneath a single family – the Rajapaksas.
There is an atmosphere of worry in the Sinhalese South, as there is to a a lot higher degree in the Tamil North and East.
It is difficult to see why the Sinhalese would want to vote for a lot more of the exact same.
Rajapaksa boasts that he has brought peace, security and prosperity’ to the country with the ‘defeat of Tamil ‘terrorism’. Yet he has refused to allow internationally credible human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch to enter the country. The purpose is that State terrorism today is far worse than any terrorism that existed earlier.
Maithripala Sirisena
A fairly unknown entity even in Sri Lanka, Sirisena has been in the Cabinet and has been the Basic Secretary of the SLFP (the celebration to which Rajapaksa and his predecessor, Chandrika Kumaratunga belong) considering that 2001.
To give credit exactly where credit is due, he had the courage to come forward as the typical Opposition candidate to contest Rajapaksa. He has taken the not inconsiderable risk of becoming murdered – a risk he acknowledged.
His account of Rajapaksa’s poor governance was correct but he was a member of this regime, and a senior one at that, for much of this time. His excuse was that he was also afraid to speak.
Of a lot more significant concern is that he mentioned nothing at all about the main difficulties faced by the Tamil people in the North and East. Maybe he was as well afraid to address this vital concern for worry of losing Sinhalese-Buddhist votes. If so, it is hard to see how as President he will address the significant troubles faced by the Tamils.
Sirisena’s primary agenda appears to be that he will get rid of the Executive Presidency ‘within 100 days’ of being elected as President. There is no doubt that this will be a welcome step towards democracy but the query is regardless of whether that it will be sufficient. It must be remembered that Hitler rose to power in a functioning democracy in Germany. Hitler basically manipulated the current laws to suit his intention to be a dictator.
Merely receiving rid of the Executive Presidency and returning energy to Parliament is insufficient. There is considerably a lot more that demands to be accomplished such as the separation of powers which is the corner stone of democracy.
There was not a word about demilitarisation of the North and East – an essential step in addressing the enormous issues faced by the Tamil people in that region. As such, the modify to a Sirsena government may be of no benefit to the Tamils.
Sirisena’s closeness to the most intense ethnoreligius chauvinists, the political party of Buddhist monks – the Jathika Hela Urumaya – is of critical concern. He has just signed a Memorandum of Understanding with them. If it is necessary for him to get into bed with a rabid anti-Tamil party of Sinhala-Buddhist extremists, it is challenging to see how he can provide peace with justice to the Tamil people.
History may nicely repeat itself since this is specifically what S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike (from Rajapksa’s party) did in 1956 – to ride to power on the backs of politically- active Buddhist monks and located that he had to get into significant discrimination against the Tamils. When he attempted to water this down (minimally), he was assassinated by a single of them. These days, the Buddhist monks are far much more violent that they have ever been. Sirisena will have to be firm – one thing that is unlikely to happen. If it does, his survival will be in doubt.
Sirisena has clearly stated that he will not allow an international investigation into war crimes or allow those discovered guilty to face justice. That will make him an accomplice to war crimes.
What is the option facing Sri Lankan on 8 January 2015?
The option is to vote for more of the exact same or for a (possible) adjust.
The alternatives facing the Tamil people in the North and East are set out in some detail beneath. To summarise it right here, they have the decision of voting for a lot more of the same which they will not do, or for voting for Sirisena. The query is whether they will be capable to get to the polls with a murderous Army watching every single step. For the Tamils to abstain from voting (as they did in the 2005 Presidential election) is to vote for Rajapaksa, a mistake they will not make this time.
The Sinhalese have a option. They can vote for Rajapaksa and a continuation of a Totalitarian state which is totally corrupt, exactly where there is no law and order a regime characterised by a lack of governance, nepotism, police and army brutality which was unleashed on the Tamil people but is now becoming unleashed on them exactly where the media are muzzled and the dissenting voice silenced a sky-rocketing cost of living due to the fact their funds is being stolen by their rulers and their relatives and the usual problems of living in a Totalitarian state.
They can vote for a adjust – hopefully a adjust for the greater given that it cannot be a adjust for the worse.
Escalating violence
There will, with out doubt, be escalating violence each in the Tamil North and East organised by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces and Rajapaksa’s violent supporters in the South by goon-squads supported by the Government.
The violence will consist of assault and even murder as was observed lately in the President’s property.
The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) says that much more than 300 circumstances of violations of law have been reported thus far. In most of these instances pro-government armed goon-squads have been involved. This violence will escalate as much more defections from Rajapaksa’s camp cement the defeat of President Rajapaksa.
The mildest violence, but a significant 1, was on 26 December 2014, in Beruwela, a suburb near Colombo. Following an election rally in favour of Sirisena, the former President, Chandrika Kumaratunga and Western Province Councillor Ms Premchandra visited Western Provincial Councillor Jemine Marika Mohamed’s residence for dinner. Goon squads attacked the house damaging Kumaratunga’s vehicle and injuring an Opposition Urban Councillore Mansoor Dalhan. Dalhan was taken to the Beruwela base hospital but refused admission. The outpatient medical doctor in a report sent to the CMEV stated that police had instructed her not to admit any casualties to the hospital.
The violence unleashed by the goons was so serious that the Police and Securiy employees had to run for cover.
A much far more serious event involving the President himself occurred on 29 November 2014 – the death of ‘Loku Athula’.
The ‘Loku Athula’ death (29 November 2014)
‘Loku Athula’ (Nimalasiri Jayasinghe) is a former deputy Minister in Rajapaksa’s government and the current SLFP organiser in a rural location (Gampaha). He was as soon as the leader of the JVP insurrection in 1971, and then joined the SLFP to further his political profession.
Soon after he had had revealed to his close celebration associates that he was going to support Sirisena , he was summoned to ‘Temple Trees’ (the residence of President Rajapaksa) on the night of 29 November 2014 to hold discussions with a view to influencing him to modify his mind.
In compliance with the request he visited the ‘Temple Trees’ at 7.30pm and had discussions with a higher profile team comprising Mahinda Rajapaksa , Basil Rajapaksa, Dallas Alahaperuma, Susil Premajayantha and Anura Priyadharshana Yapa.
This went on till about 9.00 p.m. At the finish of the discussion, Mahinda Rajapaksa had referred to as Loku Athula into a room to have ‘further discussions’. What happened thereafter is identified only to the two of them. What is known is that screams have been heard, the ‘resident’ ambulance at the Temple Trees was brought and Loku Athula was taken to hospital. When he arrived there he was dead.
Evidence has leaked out that when Loku Athula was being taken into the ambulance he was dead. .
In such circumstances, a post-mortem need to be performed compulsorily to ascertain the result in of the death, and an open magisterial verdict delivered soon after the inquest. But , this procedure had not been followed. What is worse, all moves are being produced to suppress this incident which has critical proof of homicide committed within ‘Temple Trees’.
How did Athula who was hale and hearty all of a sudden die? Was he murdered ? Did he die due to a fatal fall when he was becoming assaulted by somebody? What had been the screams all about? Why was a post-mortem and inquest not completed? These are inquiries that the last individual to see Loku Athula alive, President Rajapaksa, will have to answer.
The existing voting trends
The current figures released by an independent agency is that help for Rajapaksa was 15%, for Sirisena 85%. Even so, this can change dramatically due to violence, vote purchasing or plain election fraud.
The fall-back position
If factors turn poor for Rajapaksa, his brother Gotabaya, can launch a coup ‘to restore law and order’. To create disorder there is some info that plans are afoot to detonate two enormous explosives in Colombo two days prior to the Election. There will then be ‘disorder’ and the ‘need’ for a military take-more than.
If the worst comes to the worst and Sirisena wins, arrangements are in place to get the Rajapaksas, households and cronies flown out of Sri Lanka.
Primarily based on informed sources in Diplomatic circles, if the Rajapakse regime is unable to use the Sri Lankan planes (which impediment may possibly happen), the regime has currently produced arrangements with two Indian Charter plane businesses to get down planes , for which the regime has paid in full.
A single of these firms is ‘Air Charters India’ even though the name of the other business is nevertheless not absolutely known. ‘Air Charters India’ had stated that it have to be notified at least 12 hours ahead if it is to send a plane to Katunayake or Mattala airport . In any case, payments have been produced in full to two Indian charter firms so that if a single organization fails to comply with the request urgently, the other firm can be relied on as a stand by.
The Rajapaksa loved ones has currently sold a enormous amount of gold it has robbed from the country, to a Japanese millionaire Keiji Matsumura. Matsumara represents a Japanese Firm , Japuga Holdings Private Ltd, that has bought the gold. I do know the quantity of gold that was sold but it is so huge that I have opted not to state the exact figure until it has been checked.
This gold has been illegally shipped via 16 containers loaded at the Colombo Port . A really senior official in the Port had observed to it that has been shipped with no it being recorded in any of the registers. The money amount realized by the Rajapaksa household is US $ 38,000 per kilogram. I am told that the total amount collected by the sale is US $ 13,300 million. This transaction had taken location with the expertise of HSBC bank.
Sirisena, if he wins the election, may possibly like to look into this. On the other hand, he may well believe it wiser not to do so. Nonetheless to look into the death of ‘Loku Athula’ is mandatory.
The Tamil people in the North and East and the Elections
As has been described, there was some speculation as to whether the Tamils in the North and East ought to just boycott the Elections as they did in 2005 – with disastrous consequences – this being the election of Mahinda Rajapaksa as President. This time it is going to be diverse, extremely various. They have suffered so significantly beneath the Rajapaksa junta that there is no way they will vote for him or abstain from voting.
The issue facing the Tamil folks is that they have no leaders -.at least not in Parliament. They do have leaders – the most noteworthy getting Rt Rev Bishop Dr Rayappu Joseph of Mannar, former Justice Wigneswaran, Head of the Northern Provincial Council and Tamil Civil Society, an outstanding group of academics and pros in Jaffna.
Their ‘elected representatives’ – the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) are a joke. Right after weeks of silence, the TNA has just woken up and mentioned that the Tamil men and women ought to vote for Sirisena. I think the Tamil individuals had realised this some tome ago while the TNA was asleep..
Sirisena may well not be in a position to address any of the major issues faced by the Tamils specially simply because of his close relations with rabid Buddhist monks.
What the Tamils cannot do is to elect a Sinhalese President, be it Rajapaksa or Sirisena, sit back and hope that their considerable difficulties will be addressed. They should know from extended knowledge spanning far more than half a century,that this will not be done.
The Tamil people should draw up a political system to fulfil their aspirations and mobilise themselves around such a plan with the leaders I have just described. The priority in this system is to stress for the correct of self-determination to ascertain what the Tamil men and women in the North and East want.
They have to insist on the instant admission of Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch into the nation in basic, the Tamil North and East in certain. It is a reasonable request that the planet need to assistance. Amazingly, this vital action has not even been talked about, let alone pursued.
A feasible outcome
All that has been written might come to naught, if Rajapaksa sweeps to victory employing fair indicates or foul and begins his eight year term, possibly to recontest in eight years for one more six years, buys back the gold, and locks up Sirisena for life. Nothing is impossible in Rajapaksa’s Sri Lanka. This has been documented for a lengthy time. It may not be about to adjust. It will then be for the majority Sinhalese to deal with the dilemma.
They can take heart from history. No dictator has lasted for ever. Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin, Idi Amin – they have all come and gone. Rajapaksa is unlikely to be the exception. The only query is how a lot harm he will do to the country and its men and women before he goes.
Accurate, it is the regime that was defeated that is under scrutiny. Correct, investigation of corruption charges was a key theme of the Sirisena campaign and it can be concluded that people did vote for such an inquiry. Corruption and wrongdoing on the other hand could not have begun in November 2004. We are right after all talking about a constitution and institutional arrangement that made for abuse and pilfering in a big scale as nicely as a culture of impunity that was effectively and actually made use of by numerous who wielded energy for decades but especially given that 1977. Bheeshanaya (terror) and dhooshanaya (corruption) let us not neglect have been charges leveled by those in the opposition at least since the 1988 Presidential Election. They had currency.
The CSM releasing a media statement over the remarks that have been produced by particular major government Ministers as effectively as in state media more than Sirisena meeting Bishop Joseph on December 30 to seek his blessings, has pointed out that when President 
Issuing a statement right now the AHRC stated “A cost-free and fair election is a right of the folks of Sri Lanka and this appropriate has been entrenched in the history of the country starting from 1931 when the adult franchise was introduced in Sri Lanka. For a extended period of time, there had been a tradition of free of charge and fair elections and peaceful handing more than of energy from one government to another. The disruption of this tradition sadly started with the introduction of the 1978 Constitution and in numerous degrees election violence has been skilled. The worst types of electoral violence had been skilled during the presidential election of 2010. Following the announcement of the elections to be held on 8th January 2015, there have been repeated attacks on opposition political rallies.
Sri Lanka has never been run by a more violent or corrupt regime than the 1 run by Rajapaksa since his election as President in November 2005.