JVP – UNP: accuse government will rig the election in the east

(May 10, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Eastern Provincial Council election is taking place for the first time today after 20 years of the introduction of the 13th amendment to the constitution which for the first time devolved powers to provinces to a greater extent. According to sources in the East, the people there are living under considerable pressure and fear. Leading political parties are contesting the election and this has paved the way for vibrant democracy to develop in the east.

We spoke to two politicians who were actively campaigning in the east.

Member of the Parliament of the opposition UNP to Nivithigala electorate Thalatha Athukorala speaking to the Sri Lanka Guardian said: “there is no hope of free and fair election tomorrow”.

She said. “Pillaiyan and his cadres run amok in Batticaloa. We think the Government has handed over its powers to his group to control the situation and to pressurise the opponents of other parties.”

“Of course, election has been already rigged by the paramilitaries here. Anyone can’t speak openly and do anything against their activities because of fear of death” she added.

Meanwhile, K.D. Lal Kantha, the JVP parliamentarian speaking to the Sri Lanka Guardian said: “The government should be blamed for this situation. They vow and pontificate of good Sri Lanka and wishing to bring honorable peace but if you visit the east you can easily realize what is being done there. This is what is called Chinthanya mindset ”.

“Now the government is funding the TMVP for their military activities. This has created fear among the people. People can’t express their opinion freely as they will be killed or intimidated by the TMVP. We believe the government and TMVP are playing with the lives of the people and their democratic rights are clearly being undermined,” he said.

“One person joined the JVP list as candidate for this election in Batticaloa. But he soon resigned because of fear of the TMVP,” he added.

According to Lal Kantha, “the TMVP cadres are being used by the Government to establish one party rule in the area. The people in the east want democracy, unfortunately they will never get it with this government.”

“We have supported the Karuna faction in the past because the situation was totally different then. The government declared that the east was liberated from the terrorists. According to the government, east has become the symbol of evolving democracy. But the region is still under paramilitary control and there are no powers to the security forces in the area. How can one expect free and fair election if they fear for their lives,” he told the Sri Lanka Guardian.

(Full text of an interview with Lal Kantha will be publish soon)
- Sri Lanka Guardian