Friday, 12 December 2014 03:27
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Main opposition wants ‘candidate’ Mahinda Rajapaksa to declare assets
Ball is in your court: party tells EC
Demands removal of cut-outs and other propaganda
The main opposition United National Party has called on Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya to discharge his duties impartially and reminded the senior official that he is constitutionally empowered to disqualify candidates breaking election laws.
In a statement issued yesterday, the UNP said the Polls Chief needed to put “words to action” on enforcing election laws.
“Mr. Commissioner, the ball is very much in your court,” the main opposition party said.
“You can decide to be a lackey of the incumbent or you can choose to be a model democrat, a servant of the state, whose true masters are Sri Lanka’s people,” the party said.
The UNP has called on the Elections Chief to demand that all candidates submit their asset declarations. (DB)
The main opposition party claimed that the incumbent regime had unleashed a multi-billion dollar campaign “to ensure it does not lose its grip on power” in January.
“The advertising campaigns and cut-out onslaught provides ample evidence of the spending power the regime commands. Where does this money come from? Who funds this mega-campaign? Does this money come from state coffers or is it the Rajapaksa campaign’s personal funds? In which case how did this president and his family coterie amass this quantity of wealth?” the UNP statement queried.
The Opposition also asked if President Rajapaksa submitted a declaration of his assets to the Commissioner of Elections.
“If the common opposition candidate can do so and make his declaration publicly available, there is no reason why the incumbent should be exempt,” the party charged.
The UNP said that three days after the nominations period ended cut-outs and posters of Mahinda Rajapaksa still litter streets across the country. “The material is giving rise to anger and contempt among the general public. Yet why does the Commissioner drag his feet? Why will he not put his words to action?” the party asked.
“Nothing can stop the wave that has started against the inglorious rule of the incumbency, and if the Elections Commission stands in their way, the people will remember and condemn you for it,” the UNP warned the elections official.
The UNP claimed that the arrogance and extravagance of the Rajapaksa family regime is all too visible in their latest jaunt to Tirupati in South India.
“The trip was scheduled in the heat of the election cycle, when the forces opposing his rule are agitating for change and the end to the plunder of this state by a single family,” the opposition party charged.
“Undoubtedly, President Rajapaksa needs divine intervention at this presidential election. He will have to look to the heavens to try to win back the favour of the people, who have tired of his nepotism, corruption and self-serving administration,” the statement from the UNP said.
“President Rajapaksa has questions to answer,” the statement continued. The UNP said that if the incumbent fails to do so, his extravagant campaign alone will be unshakable evidence of his corruption and plunder for nine long years. “And it will be reason enough to send him and his long list of family members home on 8 January,” the party said.
