Presidential elections to give a new direction to Sri Lanka
Colombo (AsiaNews) - Twenty-two candidates will compete for the presidency of the state in elections this 26 January. But the most active campaigning is between two rival main candidates. Three experts and human rights activists talk to AsiaNews about the difficult situation and prospects.
Outgoing President Mahinda Rajapaksa, candidate of the ruling party United People's Freedom Alliance and former army commander, said he was certain of his re-election, so much so that he convened a vote before the natural expiration of his term in 2011. He is carrying out a comprehensive campaign using every method of advertising, such as posters, flyers, media and mass demonstrations, to inculcate into the peoples minds with the idea that he is the country’s only savoir and the only man capable of being of the last king of Sri Lanka.
Many accuse him of using state resources for his campaign. So much so that the Leader of the Malwathu Buddhist Chapter, Sri Sumangala Thero, has warned him not to hinder the campaigns of other candidates.
The only real opponent is Gen. Sarath Fonseka, Army chief, backed by several opposition parties.
The Catholic priest Reid Shelton Fernando believes "the situation is very volatile. In recent decades, elections in Sri Lanka have seen frequent swapping of election boxes, deletion of names from electoral rolls, a widespread abuse of the media, violence and discrimination against opposition candidates ". "Even if the Catholic Church is not involved in the struggles between parties, it should intervene when the dignity and the common good is at stake and it must hold politicians to account for their proper behaviour" "It is sad that there are abuses and harassment of the media in the election campaign. Promises to build a better nation already are mere slogans. However, the Christian leaders must remain independent and free from all disputes and party affiliations".
The rights activist Nimalka Fernando told AsiaNews that "for several months, during the escalation of war and the gradual defeat of the Tamil Tigers, the government mounted a campaign to suppress dissent. Repression also affects the media and the murder of Lasantha in 2009 is a clear example of this brutal political power. But now the elections give people the opportunity for a change, fervour is spreading and people have the courage to speak. Although the government supporters attacked opposition activists and their demonstrations and abuse public media in violation of the laws. "
"New coalitions struggling for democracy are forming, this is a good sign for the future of the country."
Dr. Jehan Perera notes that "these elections promise to be as decisive as the general elections of 1977, to give a new direction to the country. Then the electorate chose a market economy, with better relations with Western states, and refused a centralized economic system dominated by the state along the lines of socialist countries. This choice has stood the test of time, despite periodic problems with the task of the state on social issues such as employment protection. "
"In this election the people have a historic choice between maintaining the policies of outgoing President Rajapaksa and the promise of sweeping changes made by the main opposition to Gen. Sarath Fonseka”.
"In his 4 years of presidency, Rajapaksa ruled by nationalist sentiments, enhancing the country's glorious past and the importance of its independence from foreign domination. His government has criticized the hypocrisy of Western states and has made choices aligned with non-western countries such as China, Iran and Myanmar. " "For his part, General Fonseka promises to be less ideological and more pragmatic and poses as a priority the fight against corruption and nepotism and greater attention to human rights and good governance. I see, therefore, a contrast between references to the past and the prospects for progress to be pursued in all sectors. "
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