Elections alone don’t mean democracy: Karu

Thursday, 5 September 2013 01:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya yesterday refuted Government claims that the country was highly democratic because 11 elections had been held since 2005, saying even the most brutal dictators in the world often hold polls.

“Elections are also held in Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe but who in the world calls them fair elections?” Jayasuriya charged. Even now with three provincial elections Jayasuriya said that the Government was abusing state property and media to gain unfair advantages, as reported extensively by polls monitors. “Sri Lanka will soon hold the chairmanship of the Commonwealth. As the incoming head of the Commonwealth, the Government needs to strive to set an example to all the other members of the organisation,” he charged. Visiting UN Envoy on Human Rights Navi Pillay said Sri Lanka was heading in an increasingly authoritarian direction after the end of the war. The Government has reacted strongly to this assertion, Jayasuriya said. “The President says he has held 11 elections since 2005 and that no other country in Asia has held so many polls,” he said. “But people know that elections held since 2oo5 were always held to suit the Government’s personal agendas and never at the right time,” Jayasuriya added. Jayasuriya said that a country that respects democracy, will ensure its public service and police are independent and that the judiciary is free from interference. “A democracy will never introduce legislation similar to the 18th Amendment which was passed under the cover of the parliamentary majority obtained by force,” he charged. (DB)