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PA takes strong exception

The People's Alliance has taken strong exception to a statement made by the leader of the Election Observer Mission of the European Union that EU was "deeply disappointed" at the failure of the PA Government to implement the EU Election Mission's recommendations following the last General Elections held in October 2000.

A PA delegation led by President's Counsel and former Member of Parliament M. M. Zuhair and comprising Attorneys at Law Ananda Gunatilake Sripathy Suriarachchi and W. Liyanagamage pointed out that the EU Observer Mission should have, on the contrary, praised the PA government for bringing in a historical amendment to the Constitution, for the first time with the cooperation of the Opposition by enacting the 17th Amendment, thereby paving the way for the establishment of the Constitutional Council, the independent Election Commission, the National Police Commission etc. within the short period of one year of the dissolved Parliament!

The delegation pointed out that Sri Lanka is a sovereign and independent country and not obliged to implement every recommendation of all the monitoring groups, except after sufficient and adequate debate and discussion among the people of this country.

Notwithstanding the absence of a 2/3rd majority in Parliament, and the on-going war which is of primary concern for the people of this country the PA Government, had spent considerable time and energy in discussions with all political parties and enacting the 17th Amendment, described as a historical piece of legislation by all.

The delegation conveyed its deep disappointment over the statement of the Leader of the Mission made to the media which received wide publicity and which statement is vulnerable to be exploited by the Opposition in the midst of an election. The delegation met the Deputy Chief Observer of the EU Anders Erickson at the Oberoi Hotel yesterday.

The PA delegation at the outset welcomed the EU presence to monitor the conduct of a free and fair election and assured the fullest cooperation of the People's Alliance for this purpose. The PA delegation also pointed out that it had received highly reliable information which indicated that arrangements were being made to threaten the Presiding Officers in the North and the East and rig elections through a team comprising of the Opposition and LTTE frontal organizations.

The delegation urged the EU mission to monitor the North East in particular and booths close to LTTE controlled areas.

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