 |
CMEV questions polls chief on transfer of SSP |
| |
2010-01-02 |
| |
The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) has written to the Commissioner of Elections asking why he approved the transfer of SSP Ampara, J. R. Jayawardhana to Kilinochchi effective from yesterday (1). When CMEV, on being informed of the transfer, made inquiries from Police headquarters as to how they could contravene instructions by the Elections Commissioner by transferring a Police officer between the date of announcement of the Presidential election and the election, OIC of the Personnel and Records Division of the Police headquarters had confirmed the transfer and said approval had been obtained from the Elections Commissioner. The OIC has also said that he was not aware of the reasons for the transfer. When the CMEV contacted SSP Jayawardhana, he had said that he received the transfer order through a radio message around 11.30 pm on December 30. The CMEV, in a press release issued yesterday, said that it had asked the Elections Commissioner to disclose the reason for approving the transfer and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
 |
| |
|
|
Fight between patriots and traitors |
| |
2010-01-02 |
| |
National Freedom Front Leader Wimal Weerawansa said yesterday, former Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka in connivance with the UNP– JVP bandwagon is attempting to take the Security Forces before the International War Crime Tribunal after his inevitable defeat at the forthcoming Presidential election. He said the retired Chief of Defence Staff has undertaken this treacherous contract at a time the country is rising from the ashes of 30-year conflict. The external forces that stood against the Government’s move to eradicate terrorism in the country are behind Fonseka to take revenge from President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Security Forces’ leaders. (Read More) |
| |
|
|
President accused of misusing state funds for election campaign |
| |
2010-01-01 |
| |
The global corruption watchdog Transparency International has accused the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on misusing state funds and properties to campaign for his 2010 reelection bid. Issuing its first report today the Programme for the Protection of Public Resources of Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) criticized the President for using state property and public funds for the campaign activities and urged the public to raise their voice against such abuses. The report evaluating the non compliance with the guidelines introduced by the Elections Commissioner for the election campaigns say the government is using the armed forces, police and public servants to campaign for the ruling party in the forth coming polls on January 26. (Read More) The full report by the Transparency International can be found here. |
| |
|
|
He went, he saw and he returned empty |
| |
2010-01-01 |
| |
Deputy Commissioner of Elections W.W.M. Deshapriya said yesterday that the Elections Secretariat has received only 23,000 applications and 31,000 applications respectively from IDPs in Vavuniya and Puttalam districts although the estimated number of eligible voters among them are 275,000. The Secretariat would set up cluster polling stations for displaced voters to cast votes outside their registered polling division. For instance, cluster polling stations would be set up in Vavuniya town for voters in Mullaitivu district, Deshapriya said. Deputy Commissioner P.M.Siriwardana visited North during the last few days attempting to put a mechanism in place to facilitate all IDPs to obtain temporary ID cards and re-register. He has reportedly held several rounds of talks with District Secretaries, Asst. Elections Commissioners and other Government officials involved in conducting the election. (Read More) |
| |
|
|
I ll show who killed the journalists: Fonseka |
| |
2010-01-01 |
| |
General Sarath Fonseka said yesterday that he would hold inquiries and arrest those who had been behind the killings and assaults of journalists, within 24 hours assuming office if elected president. “Some say I killed journalists and harassed them but I will show who is behind those acts and put them behind bars within 24 hours of coming to power,” he said. General Fonseka made the pledge when he met employees of State media at his office in Colombo yesterday. He also pledged to depoliticize the State media and make them independent if he came to power. |
| |
|
|
TNA talks successful, says Ranil |
| |
2010-01-01 |
| |
UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that his talks with the TNA to secure its support for Opposition Common Candidate General Sarath Fonseka had been successful. Addressing a news conference, Mr. Wickremesinghe said that the TNA would, however, take time to announce its stand on the presidential election. According to reliable sources, the UNP leader had this media briefing fresh after a meeting with TNA leader R. Sampanthan in the presence of a few other UNP seniors such as Ravi Karunanayka. (Read More) |
| |
|
|
JVP MP attacked |
| |
2010-01-01 |
| |
Matale District JVP MP Sujatha Alahakoon had complained to the Naula police on Wednesday night (30) around 11.30 pm an unruly gang had damaged her vehicle and intimated her. The incident had allegedly taken place at Naula while she was returning home after attending an election rally of the common Presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka. She had also told in her complaint that she could identify the gang. A police team including the OIC Hettiarachchi is investigating. |
| |
|
|
State organizations deny TISL report |
| |
2010-01-01 |
| |
Transparency International yesterday handed over their report on the abuse of public resources in the election to the Elections Commissioner. The report, which is an outcome of the Programme for Protection of Public Resources, outlines the use of public resources such as state transport and media, for propaganda in the upcoming election which is to be held on January 26. Executive Director of Transparency International in Sri Lanka (TISL), J. C. Weliamuna, speaking to Daily Mirror said, “The report is self- explanatory and contains evidence that proves that public resources have been utilized for campaigning purposes.” ( Read More) |
| |
|
|
DIG Presidential security Division openly violates election laws |
| |
2010-01-01 |
| |
Despite strict orders exist that no Govt. officer should take part in election campaigns for any candidate, the DIG attached to the Presidential security Division, S A Wickremesinghe is openly and directly engaged in election campaign activities of the President Rajapkse, it is reported.
The DIG who summoned all the Police officers of the police stations along Galle Road up to Moratuwa at a meeting today (01) at Mahanama College Hall had instructed them to campaign for the President.
The police officers who attended the meeting said, the DIG openly and blatantly violated the election laws by telling them to remember that it was the President who won the war. As police officers they have therefore a duty towards him. Gen. Fonseka’s promise that he would increase the salaries of the State officers by Rs. 10,000/ is something impracticable, he had added. | |
|
|
| An Opposition Legal expert told Lanka e news that the DIG's speech which has been recorded is to be used to institute legal action. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Two CWC stalwarts cross over to UNP |
| |
2009-12-31 |
| |
Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) National Organizer R. Yogarajan and Deputy Education Minister M. Satchithananthan joined the United National Party yesterday, creating a rift in the former party. “We have decided to leave the Ceylon Workers Congress and join the United National Party which is allied to the United Democratic Front. In the past months we have seen that the people are not with this Government, as evidenced by the results of the past Provincial Council elections,” Mr. Yogarajan said. He reiterated that the estate Tamil community was no longer with the CWC. “We failed to gain even once seat in the Western Province or the Sabaragamuwa Province. This shows that the people have rejected our alliance with the Government,” he said. (Read More) |
| |
|
|
| |
|
