A welcome trend

Elections and violence have often been synonymous in this country. The mere announcement that an election is imminent is often enough to whip parties and their supporters into a frenzy. Clashes among supporters usually follow the rhetoric of the candidates. There have been many deaths during past elections, not to mention various forms of harassment.

Elections violence is a blot on our democratic values. An election is an opportunity for the people to exercise their franchise according to their conscience to select people’s representatives to various bodies such as Parliament, Provincial Councils and Municipal Councils.

Candidates have every right to enlighten the public on their plans, but they should rein in their supporters whose over-enthusiasm could lead to unfortunate incidents.

It is in this context that all right thinking citizens will welcome a report by the People’s Action for Free and Fair Election (PAFFREL) that polls violence in the North Western and Central Provinces has seen a drastic decline compared to the Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provincial elections last year.

This is indeed a positive development and an indication that the electorate is getting more politically mature. Elections violence is almost unheard of in established democracies and we are also getting there.

The elimination of both pre and post elections violence must be a priority for leaders of political parties and the candidates. Zero violence is a prerequisite for a free and fair poll. Respecting elections laws relating to propaganda (posters etc) and voters’ rights is equally important.

There is no doubt that the present Proportional Representation Electoral system provides ample opportunities for friction not only among political parties but also among the candidates of the same party.

The reason is the intense competition for the voters’ preference votes. With a voter only having three preferential votes, all candidates are eager to be in the good books of their electors. The sooner this system is replaced by the newly proposed hybrid first past the post/PR system, the better.

Another factor that breeds violence is that candidates have to garner votes from an entire district, as opposed to an electorate under the earlier system. Wealthy candidates have a head start in this scenario and there are many occasions when candidates use strong arm tactics to wield their power over the district. We hope the new system would address these concerns.

With several more provinces including the Western Province slated to have polls soon, voters hope that the trend witnessed in Wayamba and Central Provinces would continue. That will be a victory for democracy and fundamental rights of the people.

Lanka’s Sprint Queen

There were two big stories in the sports pages of all national newspapers yesterday. One was the record-breaking feat of spin wizard Muttaiah Muralitharan and the other, the retirement from athletics of sprint queen Susanthika Jayasinghe.

They are easily among the biggest names in local - and international - sport. As Sri Lankans, we should be proud that our country has produced such illustrious sports personalities.

Jayasinghe, who announced her retirement from athletics on Thursday, is without any doubt the best athletics star in Sri Lanka. But the road to stardom and international acclaim was not easy for her.

It is to her credit that she rose to Olympian heights from a humble village in Warakapola. Her life story is a lesson for all aspiring athletes in rural areas - one can reach the top with perseverance and determination, overcoming hardships such as lack of training facilities and equipment, lack of exposure and even prejudice against rural talent.

Even in the international arena, she had to face many false charges and obstacles, all of which she surmounted in her quest to bring fame to the Motherland.

Her biggest achievement is winning an Olympic medal for Sri Lanka at the Sydney 2000 Games. This was 52 long years after Duncan White achieved a similar feat. Her victory was a moment that united the entire nation in a wave of euphoria.

This was indeed the pinnacle of a career that began with Girls 100m and 200m gold medals at the Junior Asian Track & Field Championships in Indonesia way back in 1993.

It is heartening to hear that Jayasinghe has promised President Mahinda Rajapaksa that she would contribute to the uplift of athletics in Sri Lanka in some way, without necessarily getting involved in sports administration.

There is already speculation whether she would ‘come back’ as a coach. This is an idea that Susie, as she was affectionately called, should consider seriously. Her guidance, insight and techniques could be invaluable for the young generation of athletes hoping for Olympic glory.

In the meantime, she is about to achieve a personal milestone - gaining motherhood. Her feats will be etched in the collective memory of the Nation and it is our earnest hope that she would be able to guide another talented youngster to ‘Go for Gold’ at a future edition of the Olympics.