Presidential Election petition filed against election of Mahinda as President

(Lanka-e-News, Feb.17, 2010, 9.30AM) The common Presidential candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka filed an election petition through his lawyers yesterday (16) challenging the election of Mahinda Rajapakse as President at the recent elections. Elections petition had to be filed within 21 days of the announcement of the election results. But, on the 08th February, General Fonseka was arrested by the military Police and has been kept in detention without any charges being filed even as of today. It is worthy of special note that Gen. Fonseka filed this petition while he is being held in custody by the Govt. allegedly on arbitrary and capricious grounds.

This petition cites as respondents, the present President, other Presidential candidates, the Elections Commissioner and others. The petitioner claims that the election was not conducted fairly and freely, and in the counting of votes there were fraudulent practices. The petition of Gen. Fonseka therefore requests Court to render the election of President as null and void, and to obtain an order for a re-count of the votes polled by all 21 candidates including himself at the Presidential elections before their representatives and Agents .

Attorneys at Law Razik Zarook PC and Kalinga Indratissa, SLBC Chairman Hudson Samarasinghe and Wimal Weerwansa MP have also been stated as respondents in this petition. The petition alleges that these respondents were engaged in election malpractices acting as corrupt agents of the Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse. The petition further states that a number of offences were committed violating the election laws by obstructing the majority of the voters from exercising their franchise freely and fairly ,. Generally ,by resorting to intimidation, bribing and unduly influencing them.

General ‘s arrest is a political revenge no matter what explanations are offered – President finally responsible regardless of who did this

Special communiqué of Religious summit leaders

(Lanka-e-News, Feb.17, 2010, 9.30AM) The religious leaders’ summit in a special communiqué had stated that the arrest of Gen. Fonseka by the Army, the opposition Presidential candidate at the recent Presidential elections is an act of wreaking political revenge on him. No matter what explanations and justification the Govt. might advance, it is very clear it was a calculated concerted effort to exact revenge. The communiqué goes on to say that at a time when the opposition parties are preparing to file an election petition and the general election is around the corner, this action is most unethical, incorrect and a high handed act. Irrespective of who took this decision, the President cannot disclaim responsibility as he is finally answerable.

This communiqué was signed by 20 religious leaders including Ven. Dr. Ithepane Dhammalankara Thero, Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratne Colombo ArchBishop Malcolm Ranjith, former Arch Bishop Oswald Gomes and Duleef De Chickera, the Colombo bishop at the religious summit held on the 12th Friday. The communiqué issued to the media under the signature of Dr. Ven.Ithepana Dhammalankara Thero is as follows …