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Collaborating to curb polls linked violence

The State has used the most appropriate means to address opposition allegations that some of its supporters are either being prevented from reporting to their workplaces or are being harassed in them: the appointment of two committees, inclusive of PA parliamentarians, to probe these sets of complaints and resolve them if there is any basis to them.

One of these committees will have the participation of opposition leader Ratnasiri Wickremanayake.

The inclusion of members of the opposition in these committees is laudable because it strengthens the process of collaboration in problem-solving between the government and the opposition. Joint decision-making between these parties is essential for the establishment and consolidation of national unity and these committees are likely to go a long way towards achieving this important aim besides resolving the problems under reference to the satisfaction of all.

Meanwhile, a continuous dialogue and collaboration between the Government and top ranking officers of the police is continuing on both pre and post-election violence and we hope the law will be enforced both stringently and impartially in these matters. For, internal peace and accord invariably grows out of the even-handed dispensation of justice.

We emphasize that due process of the law should apply equally to both pre and post election violence. In this connection, it is laudable that the Government is considering the application of flexible bail terms for minor offences committed by politicians during the election period, to enable them to participate effectively in the local government election campaign. Such moves would certainly strengthen the democratic process.

Now that the Government and the opposition are co-operating closely in containing polls-related violence, efforts should be made to put in place the ground rules and the codes of behaviour which would help in preventing a recurrence of such violence and harassment. Much has been said and written about the inculcation of new political cultures but we have made little headway in this direction. Now is the time to put in a collaborative effort to bring about this new ethos which would lay an emphasis on co-operation and honest dialogue between the Government and the opposition on outstanding national issues.

Ideally, the Independent Commissions should have been in place to defuse the many problems assailing us. The UNF pressed for these in the pre-polls period and it is unfortunate there was a slow-footed response to this request. However, if these commissions are installed without further delay, key government institutions could be depoliticised and made effective.

• Editorial of  The Observer - 9.01.2002: Delicate steps
  

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