'Regardless of how they voted, many Sri Lankans strongly disapproved of three trends'
Post Presidential Election Realities: A Statement by a group of Bishops
Regardless of how they voted, many Sri Lankans strongly disapproved of three trends during the campaigning. These were:
*continuous personal slander, provoked by undue media publicity. As the norms of vigorous and healthy democratic debate were disregarded this way, the people were denied an objective understanding of the real issues.
* The wilful violation of electoral laws which sadly demonstrated that might is right. The Election Commissioner’s public confession amply endorsed this.
* The unprecedented amount of money spent on the campaigning. This raises ethical questions of leadership qualities in a country striving to eliminate poverty and bring justice to the IDPs.
Our political leaders can still rectify these trends by setting self-imposed codes of conduct, especially as we approach a general election. A voter preference for those who demonstrate this change will result in a welcome transformation of our political culture. Such a change will endorse the sovereignty of the people.
Promotions, transfers, termination of services and the resignations of some Military, Police and Public Services personnel send worrying messages about rewards and punishments for certain styles of political behaviour. Competency in public officials is to be appreciated and those who have done their duty well, need to be commended. But administrative changes, immediately after a public event that requires the impartiality of all officials, undermines good governance.
We should take serious note of the majority who did not vote in some Tamils areas. The lack of transport deprived thousands of IDPs from voting. The behaviour of those who could but did not vote may indicate a lack of confidence in an electoral contest between two primary candidates, which offered little in terms of the problems faced by Tamils. Their silence may be seen as a clear message that their expectations were not being addressed.
It is bad practice when elections are followed with the intimidation and harassment of candidates, their supporters and those in the media who have freely expressed their views. The total lack of information regarding journalist, Mr. Eknaligoda, missing since two days before the election, is a most disturbing case in point. The Police have an immediate responsibility to investigate and prevent such happenings. The President, and all political, civil society and religious leaders are called to set the standards in healing tensions and ensuring justice and protection for all.
From here we need to collectively address the pressing priorities of ; political devolution, good governance, media freedom, economic development, the application of equal rights for the vulnerable, the total independence of the judiciary and poverty alleviation, faced by our country. We urge the President, the Cabinet and the Opposition to work towards these goals with purpose and commitment. The test of a campaign is the urgency and priority given to the needs of all the people by all candidates when the campaigning ends. None who contests has the right or the luxury to continue with personal hurts, personal glory or personal agendas.
With the assurance of our prayers for all.
The Most Revd Dr Thomas Savundaranayagam, Roman Catholic Bishop of Jaffna
The Most Revd Dr Kingsley Swampillai, Roman Catholic Bishop of Trinco/Batticaloa
The Most Revd Dr Rayappu Joseph, Roman Catholic Bishop of Mannar
The Rt Revd Kumara Illangasinghe, Anglican Vicar General of Kurunegala
The Rt Revd Duleep de Chickera, Anglican Bishop of Colombo
The Most Revd Dr Norbert Andradi, Roman Catholic Bishop of Anuradhapura.
6 Comments
Closing the stall after the horse has bolted? Better later than never. Why dont't you tell this to the Bishop (or cardinal) of Colombo?
Here are some points to consider about the elections:
1) For the first time since TV was introduced in to Sri Lanka , the final official result of the election was released as a RECORDED statement. The Election Commissioner's speech was recorded at the Rupavahini studio with the participation of the government controlled media and some 'Government-friendly' media.
- Why was the government scared of airing the Elections Commissioner live?
- Which parts of the Election Commissioner's speech did the Government edit out?
2) While the recorded message of the Elections Commissioner was being aired in all media, the main Opposition Leader and most of his front-line people were surrounded by the military and not allowed access to the media, let alone be physically present during the Election Commissioner's message.
- What did the government think would happen if the opposition leader also had access to the media?
- Should not all Candidates be present when the official results are being announced?
3) During the Election Commissioner's message, the president was seated facing the Elections Commissioner in the front row. Then the president spoke (mumbled is a better word) while seated in the same position with the cameras only showing his back. This is very uncharacteristic of a President who would normally take any and every photo opportunity available - and indeed the cameras would focus on the face of the President whenever he spoke.
- Could he (the President) not face the people after what he had done?
- What had he done that made him feel so guilty?
- Was he still recovering from trying to drown his sorrows (by drinking) of losing the election while his strongmen made sure that the results were changed?
4) A couple of days later, the President visited the Mahanayakes including the Malwatte Mahanayake who had previously told General Sarath Fonseka that he had to change this system of 'family rule' in this country. General Sarath Fonseka's meeting was aired on TV with the sound so that the people heard what the Reverend Monk had to say. However, when the President had his meeting with the Malwatte Mahanayake after the election, the sound was not recorded (at least not aired), and the video briefly showed the President handing over 'ata pirikara' and then sitting down.
- What did the Malwatte Mahanayake tell the President?
- Did the Reverend Monk take the President to task about rigging the election?
General Fonseka has been arrested by military police and "dragged away in a disgraceful manner" according to Rauff Hakim. The post election suppression of political opponents has reached a zenith.We will wait and see what the good bishops say about this.
This govt lacks the moral and ethical character to heed such impassioned appeals by the christian clergy. Even the pleadings of the Buddhist Prelates of Malwatte and Asgirya have fallen on deaf ears. Today the Mahinda Chintana is supposed to have surpassed even the teachings of the great religons. More than the Chintana which is merely a front, we have the rampant corupption, nepotism and sheer vindictiveness of our so called leaders.
The End Game has begun. The General Elections will
bring out the Real Results based on the past events
is my guess.
Sri Lankans will not tolerate Idi Amins of any kind
in the long run - though people like Rajiv/Dyan have
grounds to do so now!
GOSL did what was right. Either SF is suffering from PTSD or is an absolute self centered traitor.
General should behave like a general & not a traitor.
A greedy cheap skate wanted to enact history behaving like a another betrayer to the likes of the Adigars Pilimathalawa, Ehelepola & Molligodas.
Rajapakshes put him away at the nick of time.