We are concerned about how fair the elections in the North will be and if it will reflect public opinion, UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya stated.

He said that these questions arose in the wake of recommendations by the President to dissolve the North Western and Central Provincial Council and to hold elections in the North.

The Opposition MP stated that the government was ignoring recommendations by the Elections Commissioner and using state resources, vehicles, helicopters and residencies for elections purposes in plain view.

He pointed out that the international community will shed a keen eye on this election in particular after several allegations regarding the mistreatment of the media have sprung up including the murders of journalists and the suppression of the media particularly in the North.

Jayasuriya also told the government not to anger the public with regard to stifling public opinion, warning that if the government denies the people their rights a situation similar to that of Egypt, Syria and Libya could arise in Sri Lanka.

He also stated that it was the Election Commissioner’s duty to protect the people’s right to vote according to their conscience.

Rulers are aware that as long as the power to elect leaders rests with the people so does the propensity of the power vested in the leaders. Thus, democracy is the preferred tradition by which to win back the power in a humane manner, he added.