Two claimants to be Executive PM., Ranil and Fonseka !!!
Posted on December 21st, 2009
Dr.P.A.Samaraweera, Australia
The Sunday Leader of 20th Dec. reported that Ranil had said, “…Sri Lanka’s opposition party is supporting the cadidature of Gen.Fonseka in order to abolish executive presidency in the country…” He had also added that, “… In a caretaker government he hopes to function as Executive PM…”
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The opposition leader having failed to field a candidate from the UNP for the first time in its entire history is bragging about being the Executive PM, obviously using Fonseka as a cat’s paw.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Against this, apart from ideological differences between the JVP and the UNP, the former had voiced their opposition for Ranil being the Executive PM. Thus there are contradictory statments emanating from the ‘unholy alliance’.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In the meantime, Gen. Fonseka claiming sole right to victory against the LTTE announces that he would abolish executive presidency, but does not want to be a ‘Ceremonial President’ like William Gopallawa! And that he would like to be actively engaged in decision making.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Based on this equation there are two claimants to be Executive PM., Ranil and Fonseka! This means that if Fonseka wins, which is a fantasy, the JVP would support Fonseka to be the Executive PM.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Thus whether Fonseka wins or loses, Ranil had backed the wrong horse, and that is his destiny!
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
December 21st, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Editor, Pl allow opposition opinions too and adhere to the undermentioned guide lines issued by Polls Chief
Polls chief sets media guidelines
* Those in politics should withdraw from journalistic functions
* Electronic media urged not to broadcast editorial opinion
* Says coverage should bebalanced
By Sandun Jayasekera
Amidst allegations and counter allegations with regard to the behavior of the print and electronic media in the
Presidential election campaign, Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake has issued a set of 21 point
guidelines to be followed by the media during the period.
The Commissioner would review the behaviour of private and state media from tomorrow in the run up to the
Presidential election and take a firm decision on appointing a ‘Competent Authority’ to monitor the conduct of the
media, a deputy commissioner who wished to remain anonymous said yesterday.
“The Commissioner had issued a set of ‘Guidelines to be observed by the Electronic and Print Media in regard to
Broadcasting, Telecasting and Publishing of Matters relating to the Presidential Election. He is closely watching the
behaviour of both private and State media and would appoint a Competent Authority to guide the media on the
right track if he finds media was violating the guidelines,” he said.
He said Mr. Dissanayake had instructed them to keep a ‘watch’ on the media whenever possible and report to him
if and when they found abuses of ‘Guidelines’ he had issued.
Attorney General Mohan Peiris PC will advice Mr. Dissanayaka on the steps to be taken by him to control the media
organizations if they continue to violate the guidelines.
He had given this undertaking to the Chief Justice Ashoka De Silva when three petitions filed by Presidential
hopeful Gen. Sarath Fonseka against the State media institutions -Rupavahini, ITN and Lake House were taken up
on Friday, he said.
The guidelines issued by Mr. Dissanayake require all-whether private or State- telecasting, broadcasting and print
media shall be balanced and impartial in their election reporting and shall not discriminate against any contesting
political party, candidate or political party leaders in granting access to airtime.
The heads of all broadcasting, telecasting and newspaper institutions should ensure that the broadcast and telecast
and publishing of election programmes shall not be interfered with by the President, Prime Minister, any Minister or
by any other outside political interference, unless a restraint becomes absolutely necessary to prevent substantial
harm to a legitimate interest., such as an act of violence.All media institutions shall provide accurate, balanced and
impartial information in their news bulletins and programmes on current affairs, the guidelines said.
Owing to the potential for editorial opinion to be confused and biased, electronic media are urged not to broadcast
editorial opinions. However, if editorial opinion is permitted for any reason whatsoever, it is obliged also to
broadcast and telecast opinions to the contrary as well.
News coverage of press conferences and public statements concerning political controversy called or made by the
Head of the Government, Prime Minister, Ministers, Members of the Ruling party shall be subject to a right to reply
with equal time by political parties opposing them.
It is obligatory on the part of the news department and current affairs section (or any similar section) of each
institution not to air any programme during the campaign period, unless the contents of the programme are
balanced.
Coverage of President and the Prime Minister should be treated as a coverage given for the political party to which
he belongs and therefore leaders of political parties contesting elections should be given equal coverage in all
programmes.
If an individual (employee or any member of the board of the broadcasting or telecasting and newspaper
institution) publicly identified holding an office in a political party, such person should withdraw from journalistic
functions until the election is concluded and shall not be permitted to engage in any journalistic function at any
broadcasting or telecasting institution. The management must consider the implications for individuals involved in
presentation and who are or might become known to the public.
When a person refuses to participate in a discussion or interview and chooses not to offer reasons for absence, the
electronic media institution shall respect that position. Dramatic devices such as an empty chair in television should
not be employed to underline a refusal but it is encouraged to employ a simple and direct announcement in that
instance.
Any other programme which has an effect of political propaganda for and against any party, candidate or political
leader, shall not be broadcast or telecast during the two days preceding the election.
A broadcaster who broadcasts or print media publishes the result of an opinion poll should identify the organization
that conducted the poll, the organization or person that commissioned and paid for the poll, methodology
employed, the sample size, margin of error and the fieldwork date. In addition the broadcaster or publisher should
state that the poll reflects the public opinion at the time of the poll was taken
The attention of the Chairpersons of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation
is drawn to Article 104B5(b) of the Constitution, which requires them to take all steps necessary to ensure
compliance with these guidelines.It is considered vital that a period of silence prevails just before the date of poll
to enable the voter to contemplate and consider the pros and cons of various policies announced and promises
made by political parties and candidates during the election campaign. The electronic and print media are therefore
requested to voluntarily refrain from broadcasting, televising or printing of discussions, debates, advertisements,
etc. related to the election at least 48 hours prior to the date of poll, Mr. Dissanayake said.
| Article Viewers (1203) Email to a friend
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter