All political parties accept EC’s explanation, UNP candidate’s allegations end-up in dustbin-Controversy over re-registration of Ape Jathika Peramuna

by Shamindra Ferdinando-July 28, 2020

The ruling SLPP and all other political parties, including the UNP contesting parliamentary polls scheduled for Aug 5 had accepted Elections Commission (EC) chairman Mahinda Deshapriya’s explanation as regards the recognition of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) as a registered political party, polls monitor Manjula Gajanayake said.

Center for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) representative Gajanayake said so when The Island sought his opinion on UNP Colombo District candidate Oshala Herath’s allegations regarding serious irregularities in the SJB registration, at a media briefing at the Center for Society and Religion (CSR), Maradana on Monday (27) afternoon.

 Gajanayake said that he along with Rohana Hettiarachchci, executive director of People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PaFFREL) attended the meeting which commenced at the EC, Rajagiriya before the CSR briefing.

 Both CMEV and PaFFREL represent civil society grouping ‘March 12 Movement’ meant to promote what activists call a disciplined political setup.

 Asked whether polls monitors had conveniently ignored the UNPer’s accusations pertaining to the overall electoral process, Gajanayake pointed out that Herath’s disclosures couldn’t be ignored. However, with parliamentary poll just a week away those responsible for ensuring a level playing field, including polls monitors, couldn’t respond to such allegations in a manner that may jeopardize the whole franchise exercise.

Acknowledging the responsibility on the part of political parties to inquire into accusations once the election was over, Gajanayake emphasized for the time being they should go by the Supreme Court ruling given in early June 2020, on Herath’s fundamental rights petition in respect of EC recognition of the SJB.

 In the wake of the SC ruling, UNP disowned Herath moving the highest Court in the country against the EC.

 When inquired from Herath, The Island was told that at the time he didn’t have the UNP membership. "I received the UNP membership about a week later just before handing over of Colombo nominations list on March 19.

 Gajanayake alleged that Herath repeatedly pushed him to issue a statement on what he called a highly contentious matter. Pointing out that the UNP not only disowned Herath’s move in June following the Supreme Court ruling, those who represented that party at Monday’s meeting at the EC accepted Deshapriya’s account. Other members of the three-man EC, Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole and Nalin Abeysekera PC, too, were present.

 Herath had no backing from the party that fielded him and was pursuing a campaign on his own, Gajanayake said, alleging that the relatively unknown candidate perhaps sought the limelight ahead of August 5 poll. The possibility of the candidate exploiting the issue at hand couldn’t be ruled out, Gajanayake said.

 He frowned on Herath releasing a spate of audio clips of conversations he had with the EC Chairman on different occasions. Alleging that such tactics could result in the public losing faith in the system, Gajanayake said alleging bid to pressure the EC to step down ahead of the scheduled election was not acceptable.

 Addressing the media at the CSR, Herath revealed that in the wake of his criticism of the independent commission, Deshapriya called for a meeting to settle the issue. Subsequently, The Island received Herath’s response to several questions as regards what he called unprecedented election malpractice that all political parties seemed keen to cover up.

 Having failed to reach a consensus of a neutral venue, they had met at a church in Rajagiriya in the presence of UNP Colombo District leader Ravi Karunanayake.

Herath said that he was quite shocked and surprised the way his own party as well as polls monitors handled the explosive issue involving the EC.

 Herath strongly defended his right to release audio clips of his conversations with EC Chairman in a bid to highlight continuing efforts at a cover up. "Politics obviously is a dirty game," a disgusted Herath said, adding that he regretted joining the parliamentary polls.

 The newcomer to UNP politics said no less a person than UNP leader Wickremesinghe asked him to drop the matter.

 "I challenged the EC after having obtained the relevant document relating to the re-registration of Apa Jathika Peramuna as Samagi Jana Balavegaya in addition to seeking an explanation also in terms of the Right to Information Law. I have no intention of giving up what I have started."

 Herath acknowledged that he couldn’t secure the required support from those who mattered to pressure the EC to own up to its mistake or deliberate act to facilitate the re-registration of a party contrary to existing procedures. A statement dated July 22 issued by the EC on the basis of a party leaders’ meeting proved that interested parties would go into any extent as long as it served their purpose.

 Herath said that he was yet to release all audio clips in his hands. The UNPer alleged that his own party sacrificed the interests of the party for personal benefits. Had the party pursued the matter those who formed a new party at the expense of the UNP could have been knocked down, he said, adding that though he was disappointed the revelations exposed an ugly truth.