Apolitical Common Candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka would definitely win at the presidential election states General Secretary of the JVP Tilvin Silva.
Speaking at a press conference held at the head office of the JVP at Pelawatta Mr. Silva said, “According to public opinion Gen. Fonseka is way ahead at the presidential poll. The General would definitely win. One matter that indicates this is the manner the government is acting at present.
Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse commenced his campaign saying he would win by 65%. However, after a week Mr. Maithripala Sirisena said they would win by 60%. Later, about two weeks ago, they put up a poster stating they would win by 58%. Now they say they would somehow or other win. They won’t be able to win by hook or by crook. People in this country would not allow them to plunder their votes.
A risk exists that Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse would attempt rigging to cover up his defeat. According to information we receive there is an attempt to change the results of the election unjustly, illegally and undemocratically.
The government is collecting identity cards using their thugs. Such incidents have been reported from areas such as Nuwara-eliya, Hambantota and Kegalle. Also, there is an attempt to collect identity cards of Gen. Fonseka’s supporters and arrest activists of political parties who work for him.
They are also trying to reduce the votes cast for Gen. Sarath Fonseka by intimidation and threats. There are also reports that attempts would be made to prevent polling agents going to the polling centers for two or three hours in the morning and carry out an election fraud.
Civil administration has not been implemented in the North and the East. There are armed gangs there. There is an attempt to carry out mass scale rigging using this situation. It is the same individuals who were in charge of development of the North and the East who are in charge of this plunder of votes.
The youth in the North and the East took up arms as they had lost faith in democracy. What should be done now is to instill in them trust in democracy. For this they should be given the opportunity to use their right to vote. What the government is trying to do in these areas would be harmful in two ways.
One is the victory we achieved after carrying on a war for 30 years would be wasted. Also, it would have an effect on the election result. Police officers in these areas are being transferred. This is illegal.
The government is behaving in this manner due to the certain defeat it is confronted with. That’s why unjust and illegal schemes are being hatched to change the final result. The people should take to streets to drive away such undemocratic rulers.
Hence, we call upon the voters in this country not to be deceived by false propaganda; not to be intimidated due to threats. Protect your right to vote. Cast your vote early in the morning. Also, do not get involved in any clashes after the victory. Enjoy the victory in an immaculate manner. We are on our way to build democracy; to build a civilized country.”
Information Secretary of the JVP Vijithe Herath, the Leader of its group of Parliamentarians Anura Dissanayake and the Member of the Political Bureau K.D. Lal Kanthe too were present
