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Democracy and polls irregularities

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya’s recent statement to the effect that every precaution is being taken to guard against irregularities at the forthcoming Provincial Council polls would have been warmly welcomed by those having the national interest at heart. We take this position because polls conducted cleanly and in terms of the law would be in everyone’s interest.

Nevertheless, it should be a matter for happiness that the democratic process is continuing without hindrance, although there are sections which are even looking askance at the holding of these provincial elections, claiming, among things, that the state is overly interested in elections. This comes as a surprise because the Opposition ought to welcome these opportunities to assess its standing with the country’s electors. Crying foul at the very holding of elections is most astounding because it is delayed elections or decisions to do away with the conduct of polls which should have the Opposition worried and not a continuation of the democratic process by the holding of elections.

Be that as it may, we believe we are obliged to call on all political parties in the fray and other relevant sections to cooperate fully with the election authorities in carrying out the upcoming polls in a peaceful manner, entirely on the basis of the law. In fact, we are informed that the present electioneering in the provinces is comparatively trouble-free and this is indeed the way to proceed in conducting the polls.

The simple truth is that the announcement of the PC polls took the main Opposition party completely off guard, since the UNP is coming apart due to its widening internal divisions. The party concerned has only itself to blame for the sorry state it is in and it is only deepening the sense of pathos most sections of the public invest it with by not approaching the polls in the most positive manner.

However, it is the responsibility of the state to keep the democratic process ticking and this it is doing. The citizen, nevertheless, would be looking forward in these last few days before the polls, to a qualitative advancement in the current electioneering. President Mahinda Rajapaksa himself is in the provinces campaigning for his party and he has drawn attention to what needs to be done by the Provincial Councils if they are to justify their existence.

The public of this country would be affected badly if what is expected of the Provincial Councils and their members is not highlighted during the polls campaign by the contestants themselves. The public interest would in no way be served, if the democratic process is mechanically and insouciantly gone ahead with. What is most vitally needed is a public discourse on how the interests of the people could be served by the PCs. This must be a principal theme of the current polls campaign.

While the conduct of polls of any kind on a regular basis ought to be welcomed, what the so-called ordinary citizen would be looking forward to most is a full-fledged discourse on how his best interests could be served by the governing institutions of this country, at the central, provincial and Local Government levels. If one is honest, it cannot be held that this happens to the desired degree.

It is for this and other relevant reasons that polls irregularities must be guarded against and with the cooperation of all concerned sections. What is at stake in these polls is democracy itself and all parties in the fray should, ideally, arrive at the consensus that it is the people’s empowerment through the democratic process which should be aimed at. Finally, democracy, understood as people’s empowerment, must emerge the winner.

SL Armed Forces driven by humanitarian spirit - Part III :

‘Togetherness, absolutely essential’

However important and relevant economic considerations may be, it would be quite futile to imagine that it is the sole cause of terrorism in the world today. University professors, engineers, doctors, lawyers, all these people have become terrorists in different parts of the world, not through economic deprivation, but the causes in those cases have to be sought elsewhere. That is why a sense of togetherness and inclusivity in the body politic is absolutely essential to ensure that our country never goes through the travails and tribulations that afflicted us during the last quarter of a century.

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NAM and changing global power relations

East Asia, which is currently the scene to a multiplicity of regional tensions, besides being an arena of unprecedented economic dynamism and productivity, is also part of what is considered the ‘energy demand heartland’ of the world. That is, the region has an abundance of oil and gas deposits which many a major power may be seeking to exercise control over.

Full Story

How the Gemunu Watch does SL proud

The pioneer Battalions of the Gemunu Watch were first awarded President’s and Regimental Colours by President JR Jayewardene on August 15,1980 at the Galle esplanade. The historic ramparts of the Galle Fort provided a fitting backdrop to the ceremony which was well attended by a large and appreciative Ruhuna citizenry. It is a unique honour that three Gemunu Watch battalions have been awarded colours on one occasion. The Gemunu Watch today consists of 23 battalions.

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The Right to a fair trial

I have been deeply disturbed by some reactions to what seems a spate of criminality relating to the abuse of children. The argument is that we should respond to this by reintroducing capital punishment. This is absurd, and not only because punishment should always fit the crime. Capital punishment for murder is another question, but that we already have, and the simple fact that it has not been implemented indicates the deep disquiet felt in general about the process.

Full Story

 

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