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PA, JVP say poll bad for peace, economy by Shamindra Ferdinando October 20 Island: PA constituents and the JVP expressed the belief another parliamentary election early next year would be detrimental to the peace process and the country's struggling economy. The Oslo-led process would have to be put on hold in the event of a general election, the PA said. The PA and the JVP were of the view the UNP-led UNF would never be able to win enough seats to obtain a two-thirds majority with the support of the TULF-led TNA. "It would just be a waste of money," the JVP said. Election department sources said Rs. 600 million would be needed to conduct the poll. But the economic cost would be much more, the sources said adding that bloody electioneering would affect everything including tourism, the sources said. Lands Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said they have a few options. "Another election would be among them," he said. He stressed the government's legitimate right to call a snap election in the interest of the peace process as well as stability. The president will not be allowed to derail the peace process, he said. "People will lose their faith in democracy if we are going to have parliamentary elections every year," a Tamil National Alliance (TNA) spokesman said. However, he was of the view there was no apparent alternative as the Supreme Court determination on the 19th Amendment to the Constitution went against the government." "The TNA will stand with the government. The group intends to do everything possible to keep the peace process alive," he said. The October 2000 general elections was followed by a poll in December 2001 as President Chandrika Kumaratunga dissolved parliament to seek a fresh mandate after losing her parliamentary majority. The second round of peace talks is scheduled to begin on October 31. The third and fourth rounds were scheduled to begin on December 2 and January 6 respectively. The Sunday Island learns that an LTTE-dominated interim administration was to be in place at the end of the fourth round of talks. It was to be preceded by a Joint Task Force to handle rehabilitation work in the north-east and a joint committee to review High Security Zones in the region. But `the shooting down of the 19th Amendment' has placed the government in a difficult position. The government has been forced to consider calling a snap election, the sources said, expressing the belief violent electioneering would further distance the main parties. President Kumaratunga wants to go ahead with the peace bid, these sources said, expressing the belief another election would be detrimental to the process. The president wants to name a representative to the government's delegation for peace talks, the source said. "She would not want to take part in the talks if she intends to cripple the process," the PA said. Both the government and the Norwegians have been told of the president's stance, the sources said, adding the PA backs the peace effort but was against the way the government handles it. The PA accuses the government of being too soft, allowing the LTTE to take advantage of the cease-fire agreement and the peace process to strengthen itself both politically and militarily. Deputy Norwegian Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesson expected to arrive in Colombo over the weekend was scheduled to meet with the president, the prime minister and the LTTE leader. The president will reiterate her commitment to the process when she meets with Helgesson, while drawing his attention to the deteriorating situation in government-held areas in the north-east, the sources said. The PA accused the government of seeking a two-thirds majority with a view to `do as it pleases.' The PA also said there was no point in talking about forming a government of national reconciliation. "We are not interested," the sources said. The UNP continues to keep open the post of deputy speaker in parliament in the hope it would be able to come to an agreement with the PA. Political sources said the economic situation could worsen if the government wants to offer a relief package ahead of the election. The PA did it with disastrous results. The government recently increased the prices of urea fertiliser, petrol, diesel and kerosene. Both domestic and industrial gas prices too were expected to go up shortly. CPC and Shell blamed rising world market prices for the upward revision of the local products. Stepped up US and British action against Iraq and a possible war in the region could have a devastating impact on Sri Lanka's economy, the sources said, adding that Sri Lanka's exports, particularly garments and tea could be seriously affected. (20/10/02 go2lanka.com) |