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Govt. strategy spearheaded by media mafia UNP
Wednesday, 22 August 2012 - 9:48 AM SL Time
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UNP Badulla District MP Harin Fernando on Monday night lambasted a section of the media for helping the UPFA strategy to undermine the Opposition, particularly the UNP. Alleging that the media was obviously a part of the ongoing political conspiracy, Fernando declared that there was an influential media mafia in operation in support of the UPFA s political strategy.
The UNPer was responding to a query by the media at the live political programme Vedikava (platform) moderated by Chamuditha Samarawickrema.
Public Administration Minister John Seneviratne represented the UPFA. Senior DIG Gamini Navaratne, in charge of the Police Elections Secretariat and Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission chief Dr. Prathibha Mahanama Hewa participated in the discussion, which focused on polls malpractices ahead of the Sept. 8 polls to elect new PCs for the North Central, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern Provinces.
When pressed for an answer as regards accusations by the UNP reformists group that the party had failed to live up to expectations, MP Fernando alleged that media had denied adequate coverage to the Opposition. The MP asserted that live coverage of parliamentary sittings was necessary to ensure that the public get to know what was going on in parliament. Those who report on parliamentary sessions and other political matters couldn t be impartial due to their being subject to dictates of the owners of various print and electronic media outfits.
MP Fernando urged Rupavahini to explore the possibility of launching live coverage of parliamentary sittings. He also thanked Rupavahini for the opportunity given to the UNP to explain its position on national issues. He also thanked ITN.
The UNP returned to live Rupavahini political debates last week after an eight-year-long boycott of State-electronic media channels.
Asked whether he denied that there was a simmering internal crisis in the UNP, Fernando pointed out that there couldn t be political parties not affected by internal disputes. The issue was that a section of the media continued to play an active role in undermining the UNP at the behest of the government, he said. The MP called it a political project.
In his opening statement, Fernando alleged that some provincial level politicians, representing the ruling coalition, were even worse than ministers. According to him, public servants, particularly the police were in a dilemma due to the UPFA doing away with the 17th Amendment to the Constitution. In the absence of a strong legislature, public officials believed that they could be victimised by the government. While faulting the UPFA for trying to win the forthcoming polls on the popularity of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the UNPer admitted that they, too, would have done the same under similar circumstances.
The UNP faulted the UPFA for giving various inducements to voters in the run-up to the Sept. 8 polls. The UNP also alleged that entry of family members. of those already in active politics. caused problems. UPFA representative, Minister Seneviratne, too, subscribed to MP Fernando s opinion but stressed the ongoing campaign could be considered peaceful when compared with previous campaigns. Both, Seneviratne and Fernando, said that action taken by the Elections Department and the police had also contributed to a much improved situation in the provinces when compared with previous PC polls.
Senior DIG Navaratne said that a comprehensive security plan was in place in the three provinces with 108 police stations working around the clock to ensure a free and fair election. Asked whether the police were under pressure by the UPFA, the Senior DIG said that political pressure was minimal.
Prathiba Mahanama Hewa blamed political parties for their failure to increase the number of women representation in parliament, provincial councils and local government bodies as well. He strongly pushed for 30 per cent representation for women at all levels, while emphasizing the urgent need on the part of the government and Opposition to amend the existing PR system. A combination of first past the post plus PR systems would be the answer to the crisis in the political arena, Mahanama Hewa said.
MP Fernando produced several statements issued by election monitors as regards continuing abuse of State property, particularly vehicles. The UNPer told Senior DIG Navaratne that he seemed to be unaware of what was going on in the provinces. Minister Seneviratne explained that the UNP had brazenly abused State property when it was in power, though it now played a different tune. The minister recalled how a certain minister representing the Ratnapura District used 40 vehicles for his campaign some time ago.
`Although I complained to the then polls Chief Chandrananda de Silva, he didn t even bother to inquire into my complaint. In fact, use of government vehicles and State property wasn t even considered a polls malpractice those days, though the situation is different now.`
Both, Seneviratne and Fernando, admitted that they had abused State property, particularly vehicles, while being in power. Mahanama Hewa s assertion that private vehicles, too, were being used in the campaign, prompted the UNPer to remind that State property wasn t the property of any particular political party.
Commenting on the recent shooting incident at Embilipitiya, the UNPer said that the police had so far failed to arrest five persons wanted in connection with the incident. Fernando said that obviously some Officers in Charge of police stations were biased and openly supportive of ruling party candidates. `Some OICs of police stations blatantly support ruling party candidates. In fact, attempts are being made to frame our candidates,` he said, accusing the police of failing to arrest those wanted in connection with Embilipitiya shooting incident. Senior DIG Navaratne said that Embilipitiya police couldn t arrest them as they had fled the area. Mahanama Hewa asserted that they could be arrested and punished even 50 years after the incident. MP Fernando shot back: `The suspects should be arrested now. Is there any point in taking suspects into custody years after a particular incident?` Turning towards the Senior DIG, the UNPer stressed that Embilipitiya suspects fleeing the area was no excuse for the failure on the part of police to arrest the wanted men.
MP Fernando pointed out that the UPFA, too, had been affected by internal disputes. He referred to an ongoing dispute between National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa and Foreign Employment Promotion Minister Dilan Perera over distribution of some roofing sheets. The MP alleged that giving free meals was a serious violation of election laws. Minister Seneviratne acknowledged that the UPFA had been concerned over the ongoing dispute between SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem and Minister Athaulla in the run-up to polls in Digamadulla. The minister however pointed out that the situation was much better than previous elections.
Asked by The Island whether he believed even if voters were treated at Temple Trees, they had the freedom to vote for a party and candidates of their choice, Fernando said people had ensured their safety and security at polling booths. Yes. Voters had the opportunity to vote freely without intimidation, the MP said.
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