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NGO cautions on fairness in Sri Lankan poll
Hindu,
jan 21.
COLOMBO: A day after Sri Lankan Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake reportedly expressed disappointment over the failure of the authorities to ensure faithful implementation of the election guidelines related to January 26 presidential poll by all the parties in general and the state media in particular, a Colombo-based NGO thinktank on Wednesday cautioned that “impunity surrounding election-related practices”, if further tolerated, could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
The feelings of the Election Commissioner, who is on record several times in recent times on his desire to leave his job after completion of the poll, and the concern of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) on the atmosphere in the run up were only expected given the high-pitched campaign.
The Tuesday election is not only keenly contested but also could prove to be important in providing direction to several of the political, economic and social issues including the three-decade-old ethnic strife affecting the island nation.
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Published: Wed Jan 20 23:14:03 EST 2010
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After 19 yrs in jail for Rajiv murder, Nalini may be freed
toi,
jan 21.
CHENNAI: Providing a glimmer of hope to Nalini Sriharan, who has been in prison for about 19 years now in connection with the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, an advisory board constituted by the Tamil Nadu government is understood to have agreed to recommend her “premature release” from jail.
On Wednesday, Nalini appeared before the board headed by the Vellore district collector, and deposed for about 10 minutes. Reliable sources said a favourable report by the probation officer and the fact that she had already spent nearly 19 years in prison weighed heavily on the minds of the board members. That she has a girl child and her husband too is in jail awaiting execution, was also considered by the board comprising the collector, district judge, probation officer, and the superintendent of the Vellore prison for women.
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Published: Wed Jan 20 23:35:09 EST 2010
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UN chief calls for restraint as violence in Sri Lanka escalates
Xinhua,
Jan 21.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced his concern on Wednesday about the growing violence in the lead-up to the presidential election in Sri Lanka, according the spokesperson's office.
Ban appealed to all parties in Sri Lanka and their supporters " to show restraint and refrain from violence, to adhere to the electoral laws and rules, and to avoid provocative acts throughout the election period and its aftermath."
Over the past week four people have been killed in campaign- related violence. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse has ordered increased security ahead of the Jan. 26 elections as violence continues to escalate.
"The peaceful conduct of the first post-conflict national election is of the highest importance for long-term peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka," said Ban.
The United Nations hopes the elections will be the first step in reconciliation after a bloody 25-year civil war between the Sinhalese government and the Tamil rebel group.
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Published: Wed Jan 20 22:56:32 EST 2010
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