“ I have been accused of favouring one party in the process of carrying out my duties. I regret that it is no longer possible for me to suffer such indignity and insult – I am not able to do so physically or psychologically.”.....................................................................
By Citizen Somapala
(January 28, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Two of Sri Lanka’s senior most civil servants, just yesterday stated how terrible the system of administration of the country has become. On is the election commissioner and other is Retired army commander with 40 years of experience, Sarath Fonseka
In essence what they both talked about is the same: how the system has so callapsed, that you can not any longer expect professional conduct from the civil service.
To any adult Sri Lankan it reveals nothing new. Everyone knows that what they say is true. What is new is that it is said openly and officially.
Election Commissioners official words that any intelligent Sri Lankan should keep engaved in their households is reproduced here from a translation by Roshan Fernando
“Under the empowerment of the Elections Commissioner as indicated in the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, I issued specific guidelines to the state media that were duly ignored. I then installed a Competent Authority for the state media who was completely disregarded. I then met the heads of state media but to no avail. I realized that this was a hopeless cause and so I had the Competent Authority removed.”
“ I was able to note that during the election, many state institutions operated in a manner not befitting state organisations.”
“Some blamed me saying that my task was to ensure that the ballot boxes were safe and to ensure that the counting was done right. But under the circumstances I faced today, I could not even ensure the safety of even one ballot box. I did my duties during this time under great duress and mental agony.”
“ I hereby state that the situation has reached a dangerous level that is beyond me. I am also advanced in years and have served in this capacity for eight long years so I only ask that I be released from this thankless duty.”
“It is impossible for me to work in peace under the circumstances – I am constantly under stress and find that I may fall sick and have to face consequences of such an illness.”
“ Regional leaders harassed my team and I in several areas such as Puttalam, Anuradhapura, Matala Districts , they even bothered the counting centres. This is not a good trend. In fact, it reached an uncontrollable level of verbal abuse directed at Presiding Officers and Asst Elections Commissioners. “
“ I have been accused of favouring one party in the process of carrying out my duties. I regret that it is no longer possible for me to suffer such indignity and insult – I am not able to do so physically or psychologically.”
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