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| Monday, 9 February 2004 |
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| Elections Commissioner should have full powers - Karu Jayasuriya by Rashomi Silva Power and Energy Minister Karu Jayasuriya, who is also the deputy leader of the UNF, yesterday urged President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to take steps to ensure that the Elections Commissioner is given powers enacted by the 17th Amendment, to have control over the media and the Police force. Addressing the media gathering held in Colombo, Minister Jayasuriya said: "We request the President to give powers to the Elections Commissioner to have control over the media and the Police Force to ensure a free and fair election, which has been the dream of the people of this country." Minister Jayasuriya suggested getting the services of International and local observers to ensure that the outcome of the election was credible. Lands Minister Rajitha Senaratne claimed the UNP is ready to take up the challenge of a General Election. Commenting on the dissolution of the Parliament Minister Senaratne said the President's move was a historic first as nowhere in the world has a Parliament been dissolved before its term ended and whilst the governing party still commands the majority. "President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's dissolution of Parliament despite the six years of mandate given to the UNF government is an unprecedented move," he said. "This was contrary to the written assurance she has given to the Parliament a few months back. She pledged not to dissolve the government so long as the UNF continues to command a majority in Parliament," he said. "The government has performed well during past two years, the peace process was progressing well, we brought about development and we cut down the inflation by half and therefore we have no fears about future elections," the Minister added. Meanwhile, UNP chairman Malik Samarawickrama detailing on 'Mono-Malik' talks said the committee has come up with the suggestion of creating a Ministry of National Security to enable the UNF government to go ahead with the peace process, while the President retains the Ministry of Defence. "The Prime Minister has agreed to the proposals and the President was to announce her stand today. She has also written to the committee spelling out the subject to be taken for the discussion today,". Minister Senaratne meanwhile said the government as well as the public were anticipating the dissolution as that was obvious with the taking over of three major portfolios. "But except for those who in the JVP not even the PA hierarchy was aware of the exact date of dissolution." |
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