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Maithri tells diplomats his mission is to bring democracy back to Sri Lanka

The Opposition’s common presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena speaks during a meeting with the diplomatic community in Colombo yesterday – REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte

By Dharisha Bastians Opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena told Colombo-based diplomats yesterday that his “mission” was to bring democracy back to Sri Lanka and hoped the country could re-qualify for the GSP Plus import concessions to Europe under his Government. Addressing the diplomatic community at the Galadari Hotel yesterday, Sirisena, dressed in his Modi-style waistcoat, pledged to enact freedom of information laws, repeal the 18th Amendment and reform the electoral system. He promised sweeping reforms to restore democracy and establish good governance principles in the country. Sirisena told the envoys that real change will happen after the 8 January election and within 100 days of his Government. “We look forward to the goodwill and understanding of all members of the international community,” Sirisena told the policy briefing. “We hope to once again soon be a recipient of the GSP Plus system,” Sirisena added. Sri Lanka ceased to qualify for the GSP Plus system in 2010 after the country failed to meet the good governance, democracy and human rights standards of the European Union to make it eligible for the special duty concession for exports to European markets. Also addressing the briefing, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said that at the beginning people had doubts about the opposition candidate’s ability to win the January election. “There was a perception at that time that President Mahinda Rajapaksa was not beatable,” a confident Wickremesinghe told the Colombo-based diplomats. The country was determined to have a change, the UNP Leader said. “This change will be reflected in the socio-economic policies of the new government,” he asserted. He said that having seen the swing, the Government’s election campaign had virtually come apart. “If any politician thinks he is a god, the gods themselves will destroy that politician,” Wickremesinghe said. In a lighter vein the UNP Leader quipped he was surprised this week because the Government had assured them that his holiness the pope would come to Sri Lanka. “So far all we got was Salman Khan,” he said. Wickremesinghe said the present election was not free or fair by any means. “They are using every resource of the Government. There will be televised programs going on till the 7th. There has been complete misappropriation of state resources,” he charged. Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, whose office organised the diplomatic briefing, was also present at the session. A host of opposition campaign leaders, including UNP Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya, Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake, former Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne, UNP MPs Eran Wickremaratne, Harsha De Silva and Rosy Senanayake also attended the briefing.

Opposition warns of attempt to prevent voting

Opposition presidential candidate and other key campaign leaders yesterday sounded the alarm about a possible attempt to obstruct voting by using retired and operational military personnel on 8 January. Common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena told journalists following a policy briefing to the diplomatic community yesterday that military platoons were already stationed in several districts. “In Polonnaruwa for instance, platoons are already in the villages. They are going to mobilise them,” Sirisena alleged. He said that in the North, 2000 army personnel had been sent to try to stop people from voting by scaring them. “2000 soldiers to the north were transported in civil clothing in the train,” Sirisena explained. Speaking at the diplomatic briefing yesterday, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said the operation was being run by retired military personnel along with existing troops. “The Government of President Rajapaksa is panicked. To the extent that we are getting information from the security forces, with whom we have very good relations, of the use of military officers and military personnel to interfere in the electoral process to prevent the north and east and some other areas from voting. This is being led by retired military officers who are liaising with existing military officers and conducting training classes,” Wickremesinghe charged. The Opposition Leader claimed that the first of three documents had been leaked to the Opposition campaign by security forces personnel. “The names are there of everyone and the electorates they are being assigned to in Colombo,” Wickremesinghe revealed. Any retired military official was free to join any political party and canvass on platforms, Wickremesinghe explained. “I would advise the gentlemen whose names are here not to do anything foolish,” the UNP Leader urged. Copies of the leaked document will be made available to the diplomatic community and the media, the UNP Leader promised. Wickremesinghe vowed that the issue was being taken up with international election observers and the Polls Chief. Key Opposition campaign aides told Daily FT that the leaked document was a Government blueprint to mobilise military personnel in crucial electoral districts on polling day. Top retired army and naval officials are named in the alleged blueprint, which the Opposition claims was leaked by military insiders. For two hours on Wednesday (31) common candidate Maithripala Sirisena, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President Chandrika Kumaratunga met with Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya to reveal details about the plan, the aides revealed. The leaked document for the Western Province seen by Daily FT includes lists of retired security forces personnel in charge of Colombo East, Colombo North, Colombo Central, Maharagama and other districts. According to the plan in the Opposition’s possession, the Colombo District has been divided into 17 sectors, each to be supervised by an ex-military official. Repeated attempts made to reach the military spokesman and the Government spokesman for a response to and clarification of the Opposition claims proved unsuccessful yesterday. Speaking to the Daily FT on a strict condition of anonymity, a source with knowledge of the involvement of retired personnel said they were being used by the Government campaign to galvanise local organisers on the ground in certain electorates on the request of the political authorities. (DB)