CPA's response to the Editor of the Island and Thinakaran newspapers regarding front page stories of 1st April 2004 nd the Editor of Sudar Oli regarding the editorial of 1st April 2004

Letter to Editor of Island regarding front page story of
1st April 2004

Mr. Gamini Weerakoon
Editor – Island Newspaper,
223 Bloemendhal Road,
Colombo 13.

Dear Sir,

“VOTE AGAINST TNA IS VOTE FOR FREEDOM
OF POLITICAL CHOICE – CMEV”

I am writing to you on behalf of the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence with regard to the above report by Brian Tissera on the front page of your edition of 1st April 2004.

The report is of a media conference held by the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) on 31st March 2004, at which CMEV released its Interim Report on Election Related Violence in the April 2004 General Election Campaign.

On behalf of the Convenors of CMEV ? Ms Sunila Abeysekera, Mr Sunanda Deshapriya and myself ? I write to point out that the above title is misleading and to clarify the position of CMEV. Ms. Abeysekera and Mr. Deshapriya would have joined me in signing this letter but are unable to do so as they are out in the field on election monitoring work.

CMEV has monitored all elections since 1997. It has received official accreditation by the Election Commissioner and at this election, is one of two local monitoring organizations granted official permission by the Commissioner to enter polling booths. Its integrity, impartiality and commitment are fundamental to its monitoring. Any suggestion of partiality could affect this and have consequences for its monitors in the field.

At our media conference we outlined the context in which the election campaign in the North and East has been conducted. We did not, however, make any evaluation or prior judgement of the nature, significance or consequences of voting for or against any party, as the title of your report indicates.

Given the subject matter of the report, I would greatly appreciate it if you would publish my letter in full and accord it the same prominence in the next issue of your newspaper as the original report of 1st April 2004.

I am copying the letter to the appended list and releasing it to the media.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu
Co-Convenor
CMEV

C.C:
HE The President
Hon Prime Minister
Commissioner of Elections
Chairman – Press Complaints Commission
Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar
European Union Election Monitoring Committee
Commonwealth Secretariat
PAFFREL
HE The Ambassador – Embassy of the USA
HE The High Commissioner – British High Commission
HE The Ambassador – Royal Norwegian Embassy
HE The High Commissioner – Canadian High Commission
HE The High Commissioner – Australian High Commission
HE The Ambassador – Royal Netherlands Embassy
HE The Ambassador – German Embassy
HE The High Commissioner – Indian High Commission
HE The Ambassador – Japanese Embassy
HE The Ambassador – Swedish Embassy
HE The Ambassador – Embassy of Switzerland
HE The Ambassador – Delegation of the EU
Secretaries – All Political Parties
All Print & Electronic Media Institutions
Members of the Board of Directors of CPA
Mr. S.P. Thamil Selvan

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Letter to Editor of Thinakaran regarding front page story of
1st April 2004

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1st April 2004

Mr T.S. Senthil Wellawor
Editor in Chief
Thinakaran Newspaper
Lake House
Colombo 10.

Dear Sir,

'IF NOT A SINGLE CANDIDATE FROM SANKARY OR EPDP ARE ELECTED, WE WILL BE FORCED TO CONSIDER THAT THE ELECTIONS WERE FRAUDULENT”
– OPINION OF CMEV MONITORING GROUP

I am writing to you on behalf of the Centre for Monitoring Election Violenc

CPA CONDEMNS KILLING OF LAKSHMAN KADIRGAMAR
AND CALLS FOR A PRINCIPLED PEACE PROCESS

The brutal and cowardly assassination of Sri Lanka?s Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar is a grim reminder to all that the three years following the ceasefire agreement has not gone beyond the state of a `negative peace? or what is called a `No War No Peace? syndrome. CPA unequivocally condemns the assassination and extends our condolences to Mr Kadirgamar?s family. Mr Kadirgamar was a champion of the unity of Sri Lanka, a just, democratic and durable peace, and universally recognized as the best Foreign Minister this country has had. His brutal assassination tragically underscores the obstacles to making peace in Sri Lanka and the imperative of addressing them as a matter of the utmost priority.

While an all-out war was brought to a halt by the ceasefire agreement more than three years ago and six sessions of negotiations took place between the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) before they were suspended over two years ago, violations of the ceasefire agreement with a direct and adverse impact on the state of human rights and human security, continue unabated. Political killings and child conscription with impunity, in particular, despite condemnations from civil society and the international community, have weighed heavily on the peace process and eroded broad support for even ?negative? peace.

In this, the LTTE has to shoulder the primary responsibility just as much as the assassination of Lakshman Kadirgamar has all the hallmarks of an LTTE act of terrorism, despite its arrogant denials. The burden now lies with the GoSL and the investigating authorities to come out with conclusive evidence that can stand the test of judicial proceedings and the due process of law. Furthermore, they must take all measures to apprehend, convict and punish the perpetrators of this dastardly crime, including the conspirators and, in particular, those who masterminded it. The fact that the LTTE is a party to the peace process should not in any way prevent or impede the investigative and judicial process. And, the LTTE, if as it claims was not responsible, must surely cooperate with the investigations rather than ?challenge? the authorities to find the culprits.

In addition to the above, a primary responsibility lies with the GoSL and the LTTE to engage in principled negotiations and to conduct the peace process in a manner that is sustainable and open to scrutiny. The battle between State sovereignty and LTTE?s pursuit of legitimacy and a Tamil Statehood, has relegated to the background the critical task of finding a just and durable solution to the Ethnic Question that involves all legitimate stakeholders in the country and which is based on power-sharing, autonomy, democracy and human rights.

Unfortunately, the peace process has hardly moved beyond the stage of the big guns falling silent, while attacks on human rights and human security continue unabated and with impunity. The peace process has also not moved beyond the exploration of interim structures to deal with immediate humanitarian needs to addressing the root causes of the conflict and to redressing them. We consider the peace process to be flawed and call on Norway to consider redesigning it in consultation with the GoSL, LTTE and all legitimate stakeholders in this country. In this

context we welcome the possibility of the signatories of the Cease fire Agreement meeting to review it. However, we note that a fundamental review and redesign of the peace process is crucially necessary.

This should take into account the need for principled negotiations to advance the process to a conclusion, rather than rely on a series of interim and ad hoc measures. The ultimate responsibility lies not only with the parties to the conflict and negotiations (i.e. GoSL, LTTE and Norway) but with all sections of the Sri Lankan polity and civil society to en
CPA condemns killing of Lakshman Kadirgamar and calls for a principled peace process
CPA condemns killing of Lakshman Kadirgamar and calls for a principled peace process