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Mixed reaction to call for fresh general elections
By Kesara Abeywardena and Franklin Satyapalan October 18 Island: There was mixed reaction from various political parties to the government’s call for a fresh general election following the Supreme Court determination on the 19th amendment to the constitution. The Supreme Court also shot down a provision in the bill that provided a conscience vote for MPs on matters of national importance. Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse strongly opposed a snap general election at this moment. "The country is not ready for an election. We had three elections from 2001. We are not ready to face another election," he said. "The government wanted to bring in the 19th amendment because it was afraid that the president would dissolve parliament after the lapse of one year. Even after the president gave an assurance to parliament that she would not dissolve parliament the government went ahead with introducing the 19th amendment to the parliament. Now the government is pushing for an election because the Supreme Court decision went against the 19th amendment," he said. However UNP General Secretary Senarath Kapukotuwa was confident of a comprehensive victory for the UNP at another general election. "We are ready to face an election at any moment. We are confident of victory. The party machinery is fully prepared to face an election," he said. Tamil National Alliance MP A. Vinayagamoorthi said that the government has been pushed for an election and a fresh general election would strenghten the peace process. "The government needs two thirds majority in parliament to take the peace process forward. The interim administration to the North-East will need two thirds majority approval in parliament. Therefore unless the PA co-operates with the government there is no other option but to go for an election," he said. Leader of the National Unity Alliance PA MP Ferial Ashraff said that the government did a big mistake by introducing the 19th amendment and if the government went for an election it would be a bigger mistake. "The county and the people do not need an election now. But if there is an election we are ready to face it. But first of all we must see whether the president will dissolve parliament," she said. SLMC chairman and Highways Minister A. L. M. Athaulla said that the party was always ready for an election and would contest independently for its community. Deputy Leader of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress M. S. Sellasamy said that the peace process would not be affected by an election. "People know who are committed for peace and they will elect those committed for peace," he said. (18/10/02 go2lanka.com) |