UNP blasts coverage of the blasts

The main Opposition UNP has accused the government of grossly abusing the state media in the run up to the presidential polls and specially during the last 48 hours.

UNP General secretary Gamini Atukorale accused the government of introducing a new media culture in total violation of election laws. He said what the government did was treacherous, partisan and most importantly illegal, setting standards below zero while suppressing authentic information.

Mr. Atukorale claimed that this campaign defied comparisons due to it being so blatantly defamatory and partisan.

"This was the most unethical use of state media which was used to defame other contestants and to campaign for Ms. Kumaratunga with blatant disregard for decency and laws," he said.

Mr. Atukorale said that representations would be made to relevant institutions about this to highlight how the government launched a fresh phase of the PA's campaign over the unfortunate bomb blast at the Town Hall where the President was injured.

He said the Town Hall blast had far too much coverage while the Ja-ela blast was given too little.

"Strange theories were also concocted and the UNP rally at Panchikawatte condemned on false grounds of allegedly continuing with its regular musical programme, etc," he said, adding that ministers came in a row to deliver their own verdicts on the blasts and to openly campaign for the PA candidate a few hours before polls were held.

With rumours afloat about the government's alleged attempts to curb private media, the main opposition has also pledged to assist the media institutions in all possible manner.

OPA polls ready next month

By Faraza Farook

The Organization of Professional Associations (OPA), which monitored last week's Presidential Elections will release its report early next month.

OPA, Presidential and Parliamentary Election Affairs Chairman, Dr. Joel Fernando said the report would be released after a general meeting of OPA members.

Their opinion on the elected Government will also be released in January after the meeting, where each one's views and comments on the election would be debated.

Based on reports collected so far, he said there appeared to be instances where the free and fair exercise of the ballot was denied.

Dr. Fernando said the majority of complaints received had been from the Gampola and Akkaraipattu districts. In these areas some votes had been either already cast by someone else or not cast by voters for fear of intimidation.

"We'll collect all evidence during the course of the week before releasing our report next month," he said.The OPA also expressed concern over the voters being prevented from voting independently.

Some professionals who spoke to " The Sunday Times " said that political parties made unfair use of their powers to threaten people and grab their polling cards. They refused to identify themselves for fear of being attacked or intimidated.

Though no official status was given by the Elections Secretariat to monitor polls, the OPA last week called its 30,000 members to join their Elections Watch.

Agitation for clean polls

The defeated main Opposition UNP will enter the new millennium with a two pronged campaign attack- an agitation campaign condemning what it sees as a corrupt presidential poll and fresh lobbying for the setting up of the three independent commissions for police, elections department and the public service.

The UNP' s decision making Working Committee and the Parliamentary Group are meeting tomorrow to map out strategies for the agitation campaigns. UNP sources said the campaigns would be led by young members with an ability to address the public effectively and sustain it until the holding of general elections.

Opposition and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has charged that Tuesday's election was the worst in the country's history.

The party has called for a bipartisan programme to curb inter-party rivalries if future polls are to be held in a relatively peaceful atmosphere.

However, the UNP has pledged support to the government to launch any positive programmes in this direction.

UNP General Secretary Gamini Atukorale said any bipartisan approach would be marred if violence continued as there would not be public support.

"There is violence in the North Central Province, Hanguranketa, Matale, Aranayake, Gampola, Nawalapitiya, Rambukkana and several other areas. Even to work together, there has to be some common ground that both main parties do not condone all this," he said.

The UNP which has alleged serious counting irregularities is also expected to file an election petition challenging the outcome of the presidential election in addition to countrywide campaigns condemning the polls.

Party Chairman Karu Jayasuriya said the UNP would also lobby for some agreement among all parties to work out a mechanism to set up a caretaker government soon after the dissolution of parliament and the announcement of the general elections.

Such a government he noted could either comprise people who are not in the government or the Cabinet, with strict imposition of limitations on their scope of activity, he said.

More News/Comment

Return to News/Comment Contents