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Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama briefed the Diplomatic
Corps on the recently concluded Eastern provincial elections.
"The elections in the East could be seen as a conspicuous
milestone in the Government policy in the restoration of
democratic rights to the people in areas which were dominated
and terrorized by the LTTE. The successful conduct of elections
in the Eastern province is a clear reflection of the genuine
interest of the Government to create an environment, in which
all communities and ethnicities could live in harmony and
achieve economic prosperity" said the Minister.
The full text of the Minister's statement as follows;
Excellencies,
You may recollect that our last briefing to the Diplomatic Corps
before the elections in the Eastern Province which were held on
10th May, 2008.
Today, two weeks after the results of the elections in the
Eastern Province were released, I wish to take this opportunity
to reflect on the dynamics of the process as well as the
efficacious manner in which the elections were conducted, thus
embracing the fundamentals of democracy and pluralism.
As you know, the Eastern provincial council elections were held
after a lapse of 20 years. The polls registered an unprecedented
voter turnout of 65%, which was a clear and cogent testimony of
the enabling environment, created by the clearance of the LTTE
from the area by the security forces. Further the people of the
Eastern province could exercise their sovereign right by casting
their votes without any impediment or encumbrance despite a few
attempts by the LTTE to disrupt the voting in a few incidents.
When I addressed the Diplomatic Community on 4th January 2008 to
brief on the annulment of the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) with the
LTTE, I placed on record the Government’s road map to achieve
sustainable peace and democracy in the North and the East. I
recall to you my statement that the termination of the CFA would
not in anyway impede the process of moving towards a negotiated
political settlement. I am pleased to state that the successful
conclusion of the elections in the Eastern province is a
momentous development for the long suffering people of that
province as well as for the stability of the country's multi
ethnic polity.
The elections in the East could be seen as a conspicuous
milestone in the Government policy in the restoration of
democratic rights to the people in areas which were dominated
and terrorized by the LTTE. The successful conduct of elections
in the Eastern province is a clear reflection of the genuine
interest of the Government to create an environment, in which
all communities and ethnicities could live in harmony and
achieve economic prosperity.
Both the Commissioner of Elections as well as the Independent
Election Monitors have endorsed the elections in the Eastern
province as free and fair, recording a low level of incidents
compared to other elections in this country.
It should also be noted that a varied spectrum of political
parties, numbering over 40, including independent groups,
actively participated and engaged in the election process.
Regrettably it is a feature of our election process, as seen on
many previous occasions that the political parties which do not
secure their desired number of votes or seats, tend to allege
that the elections were not equitable and fair. I must therefore
state that the Constitution of the country affords every
opportunity for the aggrieved political party or parties to seek
legal redress in the courts of law.
For the record, I wish to state that the United Peoples Freedom
Alliance (UPFA) secured 18 seats with 2 bonus seats totaling 20
seats, the United National Party (UNP) secured 15 seats, the
political parties TDNA and JVP secured 1 seat each at the recent
Eastern province elections. Thereafter the President nominated
after intensive consultations, a suitable Chief Minister to the
Eastern province, thus reflecting the aspirations and preference
made known by the people.
Since the UPFA secured the highest number of seats, the leader
of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), Mr Sivanesathurai
Chandrakanthan was sworn in as the Chief Minister of the Eastern
provincial council on 16th of May 2008.
In the address I delivered at the Asia Society in New York two
weeks ago, I stated that the President has often reiterated that
there are no military solutions to political problems. The
Government strongly believes that any sustainable solution lies
in finding political solutions to political problems.
The Government has paved the way for the TMVP, a breakaway group
of the LTTE, which has now registered itself as a legitimate
political party, to enter the political mainstream. It our hope
that this course of action would not only establish greater
normalcy in the region but would also enhance greater confidence
among the communities as well as creating more economic
opportunities and new vistas for the people of the Eastern
province. This political paradigm shift and concomitant
developments could be viewed as a transformation of the polity
of the Eastern province, the results of the elections reflecting
the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious composition
of the population.
In conclusion, I wish to place on record that peace, stability
and development are of the highest priority and the Government
would extend its fullest support and cooperation in making the
Eastern provincial council more vibrant, both politically and
economically. The successful elections in the Eastern province
are a model for the twin synergies of development and democracy
to overcome the previous conditions of violence, hostility and
terrorism in any province. At the end of the day the people are
able to move about on their daily activities, such as
employment, schooling, etc. without fear. This is what we value
most in achieving for the people in the province, who were
previously denied of their fundamental rights for decades. This
is what I call a true paradigm shift from the tyranny of
terrorism to true freedom and sustainable peace.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen I thank you. |