{"id":35985,"date":"2014-12-10T01:54:30","date_gmt":"2014-12-10T06:54:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=35985"},"modified":"2014-12-10T01:54:30","modified_gmt":"2014-12-10T06:54:30","slug":"sri-lankas-presidential-election-risks-and-opportunities-international-crisis-group","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=35985","title":{"rendered":"Sri Lanka\u2019s Presidential Election: Risks and Opportunities-International Crisis group"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n (Text of Media Release Issued by the International Crisis Group)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Colombo\/Brussels | 9 Dec 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sri Lanka\u2019s upcoming presidential election promises more competition than was initially anticipated. But with that comes a great risk of violence. Long-term stability and post-war reconciliation can only be achieved through a peaceful election resulting in a government committed to serving the interests of all Sri Lankans.<\/p>\n

Surprising many observers, Sri Lanka\u2019s 8 January presidential election between incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa and his former ally Maithripala Sirisena looks set to be a close contest. Promising to abolish the executive presidency and revive parliamentary democracy, the opposition offers a different vision from that of the government, which is increasingly entrenched in power. <\/p>\n

In its latest briefing, Sri Lanka\u2019s Presidential Election: Risks and Opportunities, the International Crisis Group examines the challenges facing Rajapaksa and the opposition, and how domestic and international actors can mitigate the risk of political instability.<\/p>\n

The briefing\u2019s major findings and recommendations are:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The sudden emergence of a viable joint opposition is welcome, but the heightened competition raises the likelihood of election-related violence and fraud in an increasingly authoritarian political context, where all state institutions are under the tight control of the executive. Sri Lanka\u2019s international partners should support a significant election-monitoring presence \u2013 from the Commonwealth and the EU \u2013 as early as possible, insist it have full freedom of movement and provide funding to local election monitoring groups. They should deliver pre-election warnings to all political leaders to avoid serious fraud and election-related violence.<\/p>\n

Particular concerns will focus on whether the extremist Bodu Bala Sena (Buddhist Power Force) movement will be marshalled to solidify the government\u2019s Sinhalese base, or intimidate or provoke the Muslim electorate. Likewise, Tamil-majority areas in the north and east remain under tight control; as with the 2013 provincial elections, there are fears that campaigning will be heavily controlled there and the authorities could resort to intimidation or worse.<\/p>\n

Should Sirisena gain power, his plan for constitutional change will face significant obstacles. His coalition will be divided on a series of crucial issues put on hold by Rajapaksa: devolving power to Tamil-majority areas, protecting the rights of religious and ethnic minorities, addressing the legacy of wartime human rights violations \u2013 still, rightly, a focus of the UN human rights system \u2013 and reducing the military\u2019s size and role in civilian affairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe opposition\u2019s attempt to reopen democratic space also brings with it risks of violence and instability\u201d says Alan Keenan, Sri Lanka Senior Analyst. \u201cThe tighter the race, the more violent it threatens to be\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoever wins in January, issues of devolution of power, accountability and reconciliation, and of the equal status of Tamils and Muslims in a Sinhala majority state, will remain contentious\u201d, says says Jonathan Prentice, Chief Policy Officer and Acting Asia Program Director. \u201cNavigating this terrain will require political skills and statesmanship by all parties, with the cooperation of Sri Lanka\u2019s international partners\u201d.<\/p>\n

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(Text of Media Release Issued by the International Crisis Group) Colombo\/Brussels | 9 Dec 2014 Sri Lanka\u2019s upcoming presidential election promises more competition than was initially anticipated. But with that comes a great risk of violence. Long-term stability and post-war reconciliation can only be achieved through a peaceful election resulting in a government committed to …<\/p>\n

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