The crossword puzzle section was a popular feature in the Weekend Newspaper in the past. While remnants of such puzzles can still be found in some newspapers today, their prominence has waned. The rise of Internet gaming, which has captivated the youth with its high-intensity allure, appears to have overshadowed these once-valued, intellectually stimulating activities like crossword puzzles.
Why remember a newspaper feature that’s fading into obscurity? Sri Lanka’s upcoming elections are, in a sense, like a complex crossword puzzle. Each challenge solved reveals new ones, some familiar and others difficult to navigate. The recent petitions filed before the Supreme Court and the ongoing crisis surrounding the appointment of the Acting Inspector General of Police have added to the intrigue for election enthusiasts. Amid these developments, there are moments of humour and amusement, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the electoral process.
The situation surrounding the annual nursing conference at the Maharagama Youth Council Auditorium may initially seem like a minor issue with no significant national implications regarding election law violations. However, its unexpected prominence in the national discourse raises questions.
Drawing a parallel to historical context, Julius Caesar, the greatest leader of his time, divorced his wife Pompeia, famously stating that “My wife ought not even to be under suspicion.” This principle, which suggests that a person’s reputation must be beyond reproach, is encapsulated in the saying, “Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion.”
In a similar vein, despite the specifics of election law, this principle is relevant to the team led by Comrade Anura Kumara Dissanayaka. The emphasis here is on maintaining a standard of integrity and transparency that ensures no suspicion surrounds their actions.
The National People’s Power (NPP) stands out as a compelling political force with a unique ability to draw organised crowds and generate mass appeal. This is evident when compared to other parties, such as the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). For instance, a youth conference held near Nelum Pokuna in Colombo, organised by the SLPP, attracted hundreds of middle-class young people, many of whom were unaware it was a rally for the SLPP. The event featured performances by three popular music groups and was meticulously organised by Iraj, with expenditures likely surpassing Rs 10 million. The focus of current discussions is not to elaborate on this musical event, attention is now on the nursing community. Therefore, today, tomorrow and over the next 48 hours, the spotlight will not be on Iraj’s musical event. Instead, the focus will be on the nursing community, clad in official uniforms, advocating for an NPP Government. This has become the primary point of interest.
What’s the issue with this situation? There is no clear violation of election laws; the concern lies in the use of official uniforms at a political rally. As an election observer, it is essential to voice opinions on such matters. Comrade Anura Kumara Dissanayaka has previously questioned, both sarcastically and somewhat rudely, whether election observers have been inattentive for too long. Therefore, remaining silent and not expressing our views is not an option.
Since the Local Government Elections, the organisations PAFFREL and IRES, which we represent, have consistently documented and discussed the widespread illegal and unethical violations of election laws by the current government. We have raised these concerns despite numerous visible and hidden challenges. We acknowledge the sarcasm directed at us by NPP colleagues, who remained silent during these violations. We take this criticism with a grain of salt, understanding it as part of the natural course of discourse.
However, if Comrade Dissanayaka reviews the record of our two organisations over the past twelve months, it will be evident that we have not remained silent, despite the surprising or tacit silence of the NPP regarding these incidents.
This is the reality faced by election observers. When we challenge the current government, we may be vilified and deemed traitors, yet welcomed with open arms by the Opposition. However, once the Opposition gains power, our role is often reassessed with a more critical and authoritarian perspective. Thus, the criticism from both sides, whether from allies or adversaries, continually shapes and sustains our role in this complex landscape.
Returning to the main theme, while the event in question does not breach election laws, it involves a large assembly of nurses who have taken duty leave to attend. It is true that this is an annual conference of a trade union, and it’s true that the Maharagama Youth Centre was transformed by this unprecedented atmosphere. However, the ethical concern arises from whether it is appropriate for individuals on duty leave to participate in such a political campaign. If every trade union leader were to take leave and attend political rallies in their official uniforms, it could result in significant inconvenience for the average tax-paying Sri Lankan. This sets a troubling precedent. Just as Caesar’s wife was expected to be beyond suspicion, society expects Anura Kumara and the NPP to conduct his entire election campaign with the highest level of integrity and discipline.
Therefore, it is perplexing for them to question why election observers focus on their activities instead of addressing the more significant violations by government officials. Such statements are unbecoming of the NPP Leader and the party, reflecting a redundant opinion and misplaced criticism.
On the other hand, those exploiting the controversy over official uniforms should also scrutinise the criminal misappropriation of public funds by their own leaders. This issue has yet to be addressed adequately. The permission for this meeting was obtained from the Ministry of Health on 23 May, and it was granted on an official basis, including railway warrants. However, there is a fine line between taking leave to attend a trade union meeting and using official uniforms to support a political candidate. The current Constitution, Presidential Election Act No. 15 and other related laws do not sufficiently address the use of official uniforms during elections. Therefore, a future amendment to Article 25 of the Establishments Code should explicitly prohibit the use of official uniforms for political endorsements and related activities.
Both government employees and their official uniforms are considered public property during duty hours. Even outside of duty, the uniform remains a symbol of public service. For example, if a postman in uniform visits a location selling illegal moonshine, people might panic, mistaking him for a law enforcement officer. Hence, it is crucial to handle official uniforms with respect and avoid their misuse. We have also witnessed issues such as rice and land distribution and have not remained silent but have taken appropriate measures within our capacity.
Another crucial point is that trade unions do nothing for the development of the country apart from grandly promoting political candidates. If staff and executive-level officials with restricted or no political rights were present at such functions, they should be subject to disciplinary investigations by their respective institutions. Fortunately, the Election Commission is not embroiled in this issue, it already faces significant responsibilities.
However, politicians and comrades are human beings, and the election observers between the two groups are also human beings.