Political parties bring
youth to the fore

With all political parties busy finalising their nomination lists that would be handed over by Tuesday (24), parties are coming with attractive nomination lists to lure a poll weary electorate.

The ruling United National Front (UNF) as in 2001 is keen to field more young persons this time as well. According to party spokesman Gayantha Karunathilleke, the party is keen to accommodate persons below 35 years of age fulfilling a commitment to creating more room for youngsters at the decision making level.

Focus also fell on women nominees, though Karunathilleke observed that there was reluctance on the part of women to enter politics due to the conditions that prevail.

It was originally stated that popular singer Rukantha Gunathilleke would contest from his hometown Kegalle and Deshamanya Lalith Kotelawala from Dodangaslanda, in Kurunegala. But the names were later dropped.

The UNF would also accommodate some of the PA members who are crossing over to the side including former deputy minister Athula Nimalasiri Jayasinghe who will contest from Mahara. To accommodate him, current Mahara organiser Ravindra Randeniya has been pledged a slot on the UNF national list. Similarly, Prof. G. L. Peiris and Tilak Marapone too will be on the national list.

UPFA attracts more artistes

The PA-JVP collective, the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) too is adding the final touches to its nomination lists with the inclusion of some surprises.

Basnayake Nilame of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, Shalitha Lakshman Wijesundara is seen as the most unlikely candidate to contest polls on the UPFA ticket. Wijesundara, the nephew of UNP strongman and tycoon, late Upali Wijewardene and son of former Colombo University Vice Chancellor, Stanley Wijesundara, who was gunned down by the JVP, recently switched loyalties to contest on the UPFA ticket from Biyagama, the former electorate of Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The Tamil political arena is also fast changing with most Tamil parties aligning themselves with the TNA. With many accusations being levelled against the TNA as a mere front for the LTTE that refuses to tolerate moderate opinion and senior Tamil politicians, the TNA's selection of candidates has aroused much interest.

Tamil parties at a deadlock

The spotlight fell on the turmoil within when at a crucial meeting of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) last Wednesday to decide on candidates ended inconclusively after party President V. Anandasangaree marched out in protest, voicing serious opposition to the nominations. Anandasangaree has reportedly refused to accept a common nomination list of candidates from all constituent parties of the TNA, TULF sources said.

Sources said that out of the 12 nominees, six were pro- LTTE persons.

However, ACTC's A. Vinayagamoorthy brushed aside allegations that the TNA was being manipulated by the LTTE. He said the candidates were members of NGOs, social workers, university lecturers, student union leaders, voluntary organisation leaders, corporate sector personnel etc. 

However, TULF Leader V. Anandasangaree has not been given nomination, a decision that has been dubbed as 'imprudent' to leave out one of the senior-most Tamil politicians in the country at the behest of the LTTE.

Meanwhile, TELO Member V. Adaikkalanathan stated that the allegations were false and that the TELO nominations have been accepted sans any problems.

Despite the denials of any LTTE involvement, the Tigers have taken a keen interest in the forthcoming elections.  The LTTE's Political Wing leader, S. P. Tamilselvan met the Upcountry People's Front (UPF) leader P. Chandrasekaran and discussed the creation of a grand Tamil alliance.

Chandrasekaran went on record stating that they would unite all Tamil political forces to represent the community.

In a fresh move, Tamilselvan has also met UNF Member Mano Ganesan to pledge their support for the Colombo candidate's electoral success.

EPDP supports UPFA

Striking a defiant note, the EPDP has decided to support the UPFA and is determined to emerge as the true alternative to the LTTE and the Tamil political parties that are manipulated by the Liberation Tigers. A spokesman for the party claimed that the TNA was just a front for the LTTE and the LTTE's latest moves were not new tactics. "That's what happens to people who try to hang on to the Tiger's tail," he said, claiming that the EPDP was the only independent Tamil political party.

An unnecessary election - clergy 

By Risidra Mendis 

With President Chandrika Kumaratunga dissolving parliament and calling for snap polls, the thinking amongst the country's clergy seems to be that the April 2 elections could have been avoided if politicians put the country before political interest.

According to priests from Buddhist, Christian, Muslim and Hindu faiths, if the PA and UNF had worked together to find a solution to the ethnic conflict, there would not have been a need for a costly and unnecessary election at a time when the country could least afford it.

Commenting on the recent dissolution, Anunayaka of the Asgiri Chapter, Ven. Dalagama Aththadassi Thero said that he had little or no appreciation for politics, particularly the kind that is being witnessed in Sri Lanka.

"I believe that instead of having an election, President Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should have worked together and ruled the country together as they were mandated to do. I'm not saying this because an election is round the corner. I have always believed that the President and Prime Minister should have worked together. That is the most effective way to settle the ethnic issue - consensus between the two main political forces in the country," said the Anunayake Thero.

Airing his views Anglican Bishop of Colombo, Rev. Duleep de Chickera said the dissolution of parliament came as a surprise to many. "Three immediate concerns are visiting us due to it. It has affected the peace and developmental process, the non-activation of the Elections Commission and the tremendous cost we would incur due to the general election. All political parties must give priority to and declare their stance on peace and development clearly. Since the functioning of the Elections Commission is crucial at the time of a national election, the current deadlock must be resolved. Party and individual campaigning must attempt to minimise costs," Bishop Chickera said.

He went on to say that in hindsight this provided an opportunity for political parties and leaders to review their manifestos in terms of new lessons learnt, and for the people to evaluate their performance in the face of serious allegations of corruption, indifference and incompetence. "Now that we have an election on the cards, we hope that this would be a pragmatic way out of the current political impasse," he explained.

The Bishop said, while there is a relative calm at present, the country's recent poll experiences suggested the possibility of intimidation and violence. The authorities, political leaders and civil society should collaborate to ensure a free, fair and violence free election which called for vigilance, monitoring and prompt remedial action.

The Bishop went on to say that it is his prayer that our common yearning and journey towards justice, reconciliation and peace will be sustained.

Moulavi of the Colombo Grand Mosque, Seyed Kalleel Moulana told The Sunday Leader that his fervent wish was to keep away from politics and politicians from the mosque.

"The majority of people in the country are not happy with the present UNF government. The cost of living is very high and there are so many problems in the country," he said.

With regard to the peace process, Kalleel Moulana said, the decisions taken by the UNF government were not good. "It is true that the Prime Minister was having talks with the LTTE to negotiate peace. But his motives later became questionable as the LTTE took the upper hand. The UNF government is only play-acting with regard to the peace process," explained Moulana.

According to him, now that the President has dissolved parliament, he was hopeful of a change that would benefit the country.

Meanwhile, the chief priest of the Thiru Arulmihu Sivasubramania Swami Kovil, Swami Sivalal Kuruppu said that it did not matter which party came into power as long as there would be no war. "President Kumaratunga's government has driven a wedge between the two communities. I believe in a government that would grant equal rights to all communities," he said.

According to Swami Kuruppu, the election would have not been necessary if the two main political parties had the commitment to work out their differences in the larger interest of the public. "The election could have been avoided and should have been avoided. This is not going to solve anything except aggravate the situation and divide the people further. I pray that the war would not recommence," Swami Kuruppu added.

Promises, promises and more promises 

By Jamila Najmuddin 

With elections just around the corner, political parties are preparing for their respective election campaigns. Hand in hand with the preparations come attractive promises of a better tomorrow for the people in the event these parties are voted into power.

According to Western Province Governor,  Alavi Moulana, the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) is committed to taking forward the peace process. In addition, Moulana said the party would concentrate on labour reforms, reduce the high cost of living that is prevalent, weed out corruption, minimise waste and give the public sector the salary hike they deserve.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Moulana noted that the most contentious issue before this nation was that of peace making and UPFA too would give it top priority and also continue with the peace process.

"It was President Chandrika Kumaratunga who introduced Norway into the peace process. Hence, if the UPFA comes into power once more, we will continue with the peace process and are certain that the Norwegians would play a supportive role," Moulana asserted.

"One key aspect of our pledges would be the security we intend offering the working class. We are going to look into the demands of all workers because when the UNF was in power, only the privileged class received attention. The workers who toiled to make this economy work are a deprived lot. If the UPFA comes into power, the party will be able to rectify this situation," noted Moulana.

Speaking about wage increases, Moulana said, "The UNF government had promised to increase salaries by Rs. 5,000 whereas the actual increase was a mere Rs.1,250. When the PA was in power despite a continuing war at that time, we managed to increase the wages of all workers by Rs. 2,250," he claimed.

Moulana charged that the UNF had no right to ask for votes from the Muslim community, after the Prime Minister sought US guidance on his policy and programmes.

"The United States completely destroyed Iraq even after it was proven that Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction. A Premier guided by the US is the last thing the Muslim community deserves and desires," he noted.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Lands Minister, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne reiterated the UNF government's commitment to the same promises made during the 2001 elections.

"We will continue with those promises and will try to further improve the economy. We also promise to restore peace in the country and we are proud to say that except for the UNF, no party was able to stop the 20 year-old war through a truce that worked. The hallmark of the UNF regime has been the halting of ethnic bloodshed that has so far claimed over 60,000 innocent lives," the Minister said.

Senaratne said the UNF would this time around have better plans to provide more employment and to control and provide more relief by reducing the cost of living.

He added that if the UNF were elected, the economy would be strengthened due to foreign funds and aid that would come into the country.

Tamil National Alliance officials declined to comment, stating that they would do so only after the election manifesto was released.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, General Secretary, Democratic Left Alliance, Vasudeva Nanayakkara said that they would support the peace process and oppose racism and militarism.

Nanayakkara said that his alliance would fight for social and economic justice and oppose the neo-liberal economics.

"We will also insist on democratisation of the state and society while being vigilant against the conspiracies to subvert democracy," said Nanayakkara.

The left alliance will campaign for freeing the country from domination by foreign powers "with international solidarity against imperialist globalisation."

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