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| Sunday, 4 April 2004 |
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General Election - 2004 : A new chapter in local politics by DEEPAL WARNAKULASURIYA In a rare show of unity leaders of all parties who contested Friday's general elections expressed satisfaction at the manner in which the polls were conducted and agreed election 2004 was the most peaceful in two decades. JVP Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa who was confident the next government would be formed by the UPFA said that Elections 2004 was very satisfactory compared to the previous elections. However, he pointed out some untoward incidents had taken place in Omanthai, Hanguranketha, Mawanella, Anamaduwa, Nawalapitiya, Sammanthurai and other places. Charging that both election department officials and the police had allowed the LTTE to man the Omanthai polling centre, he said it may affect the final results of the elections. He also pointed out that this was the only election after 12 elections, where a curfew had not been enforced and described it as a new chapter in Sri Lankan politics. He, however, accused the police of becoming the puppets of certain politicians. UNP General Secretary Senarath Kapukotuwa was unwilling to comment on as to who would form the next government. "More than 85 per cent voters cast their votes and the Elections Commissioner as well as the Police did their job in a very impartial manner, he said, adding that this would be a good lesson, for future elections. The Secretary, the United People's Freedom Alliance Susil Premajayanth opined the elections as `fairly OK' except for some incidents reported from some districts. Premajayanth was confident President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga will call the Freedom Alliance to form the next government. MEP Leader Dinesh Gunawardene said that despite various rumours spread by several people, election 2004 was relatively free and fair but charged that the police and other authorities had been neither free nor fair. The former Minister expressed hope that the Elections Commissioner will abide by the election rules and take necessary steps to rectify the situation in areas where he was unable to conduct a free and fair election. He was optimistic of forming the next government under the Alliance banner. JHU candidate Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera said that they were also satisfied about how the elections were held. But, the Thera pointed out that they had faced biased attacks from the State media. Ven. Dhammaloka Thera also added that the JHU would support any party to form a government, if their policies were accepted and implemented. LSSP Leader and former Minister Batty Weerakoon said that the election mechanism worked nicely this time and had paved the way for an impartial election except for incidents in several places. He was confident `the next government would be formed by the Freedom Alliance. Communist Party Secretary DEW Gunasekara and DLF Leader Dr. Vickramabahu Karunaratne said the stage had been set for the Freedom Alliance to form the next government. They also agreed that and with comparison to previous elections this time was satisfactory. |
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