கவனிக்க: இந்த மின்னூலைத் தனிப்பட்ட வாசிப்பு, உசாத்துணைத் தேவைகளுக்கு மட்டுமே பயன்படுத்தலாம். வேறு பயன்பாடுகளுக்கு ஆசிரியரின்/பதிப்புரிமையாளரின் அனுமதி பெறப்பட வேண்டும்.
இது கூகிள் எழுத்துணரியால் தானியக்கமாக உருவாக்கப்பட்ட கோப்பு. இந்த மின்னூல் மெய்ப்புப் பார்க்கப்படவில்லை.
இந்தப் படைப்பின் நூலகப் பக்கத்தினை பார்வையிட பின்வரும் இணைப்புக்குச் செல்லவும்: Alternatives 2004.01-03

Page 1
I
NSIDE
A Violence Free E
Of a total of 368 incidents of viol Media Responsibility...........Pg 2
by CMEV, the largest number of
Vibhasha Certificates ........Pg 2
(44), Kandy (33), Kurunegala (31 election violence too were recor
Religious Conversions........Pg 2
CMEV concluded that the
Staff Changes..................... Pg 2
April 2004 election, both in terms of the campaign Activity in Focus................Pg 3
period and polling day and except for the situation in Articles.............................. Pg 3
parts of the North and
Wapor Conference............Pg 3
East in particular, is the most violence and Calander of Events.............Pg 4
malpractice free election in Sri Lanka, in the last Latest Publications............ Pg 4
decade.
(>>Page 3)
Here's the correct report!
There over th Do not violate
Daily N poll co Election Act,urges CPA
Indicato Unit. S in the
Article 99A of the
followed in replacing vacated
entitled
Constitution, the
parliamentary seats.
Parliamentary Elections Act
Subsequent to
the decision
made in the
case of Centre
for Policy
Alternatives, Saravanamuttu
and Edrisinha v. Dissanayake
and Weerawanni (2002) SC
26/27/2002, CPA asked the
(>>Page 3)
In Mar Suprem
No. 1 of 1981 seeks to
Public Interest introduce the principle of
Litigation
nominated Members of
Parliament, and thus
presen imposes certain safeguards
should
to prevent abuse. It also
Parliam Parliam contains certain statutory
opinion
obligations that must be
doing i It woul legisla
No 24/2, 28th Lane - Off Flower Rd, Colombo 7 Sri Lanka Vol 1 Issue 4 (January - March 2004) 04 Pages - Issued Free
A ternatives
Official Newsquarterly of the Centre
The CM (FMM) indepe inciden

A Violence Free Election-
>Page 3)
In March, CPA intervened in the President’s Reference to the Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the Tax Amnesty Act
(Inland Revenue (Special Provisions) Act No 10 of 2003). CPA conceded that the Act may be unconstitutional, but argued that the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to provide an opinion to the President on a matter referred to it, should be exercised with caution. CPA contended that the present Reference was not an appropriate one in which the Court should give an opinion, since it related to a law already passed by Parliament. Under the Constitution the validity of an Act of Parliament cannot be called into question in any court. Providing an opinion on the constitutionality of the Tax Amnesty Act would be doing indirectly what cannot be done directly under the Constitution. age 3)
It would also unfairly give the President an opportunity to challenge legislation which no other citizen enjoys.
A ternatives
that the n, both in ampaign g day and ituation in orth and ar, is the ce and election in the last
es CPA
g vacated
s.
anamuttu
sanayake
002) SC
sked the
www.cpalanka.org
uarterly of the Centre for Policy Alternatives, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
incidents of violence and malpractice on Election Day recorded gest number of incidents were reported from the Digamadulla , Kurunegala (31) and Jaffna (28) Districts.81 incidents of post
too were recorded.
The CMEV was formed in 1997 by the CPA,the Free Media Movement (FMM), and the Coalition against Political Violence as an independent and non -partisan organization to monitor the incidence of election related violence.
Here's the correct report!
There was a controversy over the reporting by the Daily News of an opinion poll conducted by Social Indicator, the CPA’s Polling Unit. SI published the poll in the form of a report entitled “The Sri Lankan
Public Interest
Litigation
© C P A
Voter and the April 2004 Election
The CPA report is a bound volume consisting of 25 numbered pages, all of which were copyrighted to CPA/ Social Indicator with the mark “© Copyright Social Indicator – March 2004”and containing an Executive Summary. The softcopy of this report is available on CPA’s website at: http:// www.cpalanka.org/ research_papers/ SI_Election_Poll.pdf

Page 2
Official Newsquarterly of the Centre
CONTACTING CPA Web http://www.cpalanka.org email cpa@cpalanka.org
CPA in collaboration with the Free M Movement (FMM) and supported by
Overall Coordinator CPA Units:
of
Academy for Educational Develop (AED) organised a Roundt Dr. Paikiasothy
Discussion on Election Saravanamuttu
Reporting and Media Executive Director
Responsibility,on the E-mail: cpa_sara@sri.lanka.net
30th March,in Colombo .
Peace and Conflict
The main objectives of this Analysis Unit
closed door forum were Contact Person Kethesh Loganathan E-mail: peace@cpalanka.org
promoting responsible, accurate and unbiased reporting, particularly in light of the critical elections the Centre for Monitoring
Election Violence (CMEV) Contact person Udaya Edirimanne
E-mail: cmev@cpalanka.org
country faced recently, the initiation of a discussion among Editors, Journalists, Media Practitioners, Academics and Lawyers working with the media, on Elections, exploring
Legal Unit Contact Person Rohan Edrisinha
E-mail:
existing laws on Election Reporting, looking for common ground for general guidelines on Ele Reporting and establishing how cpalegal@diamond.lanka.net
media can ensure a free and fair elec
Media Unit Contact Person Sunanda Deshapriya E-mail:
The panel comprised J.C. Weliamuna Transparency International, R Edrisinha, Lecturer, Law Fac media@cpalanka.org
University of Colombo, Sun
Polling Unit Contact Person Pradeep Peiris E-mail:
Deshapriya, Head, Media Unit,R Rajaratnam, First Vice Presid Accredited Advertising Agen Association (4As),Mr. Sam Wijeysin cpapoll@diamond.lanka.net
Translation Unit Contact Person
Certificate Presentations- Vibhasha
Gananathan Sivajothy E-mail: vibhasha@cpalanka.org Our Address 24/2, 28th Lane, Off Flower Road Colombo 7 Sri Lanka Tel: 94-1-565305/6 Fax: 94-74-714460
Staff Changes at CPA New Faces...
Ms Cyrene Siriwardene, a Director at CPA,is now working with the Legal Unit
...and they said Bye!
Tina Senanayeka and Rukni Ambagahawatte of Legal Unit and Sanjana Hattotuwa of Media Unit left CPA in the first quarter of 2004.
A ternatives
January -March 2004
Reporting Elections R
Certificate Awarding and Presentation of Vibhasha Volumnes, Feb 7th
Ms Deshini Liyanarachchi, new Co ordinator Media Unit
Ms Nadia Ishaq joined Legal Unit
Ms Ish Silva- tempor help w publica
S U R
Re C a

2 squarterly of the Centre for Policy Alternatives, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Reporting Elections Responsibly
tion with the Free Media Chairman, ) and supported by the ucational Development ised a Roundtable
ding and ibhasha th
!
Press Complaints Commission and Dr. P. Saravanamuttu as Co-Convener, Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV)
Election nd Media y,on the olombo .
The roundtable discussion included a series of short presentations on key issues regarding the role of the Media
tives of this orum were esponsible, unbiased larly in light of lections the recently, the cussion among alists, Media cademics and ing with the ions, exploring on Election ng for common
al guidelines on Election establishing how best e a free and fair election.
during an E l e c t i o n p e r i o d , Advertising, Media and Ethics during an Election and Election Violence, Malpractices and Media Responsibility. T h e presentations were followed by a plenary session.
A comprehensive report of the conference proceedings is in the process of being prepared and will be
ised J.C. Weliamuna(ED) International, Rohan cturer, Law Faculty, Colombo, Sunanda ad, Media Unit,Rohan irst Vice President, dvertising Agencies ),Mr. Sam Wijeysinghe,
circulated amongst the participants of the discussion along with a comprehensive handbook on Election Reporting geared specifically to suit the local context. The handbook will also be disseminated amongst journalists and editors of all media institutions and Civil Society organizations working in the field of media and media reform.
al Unit and Sanjana
f 2004.
© C P A
Presentations- Vibhasha
Ms Nadia Ishaq joined Legal Unit
Ms Ishani Silva- temporary help with publications
Sunanda Deshapriya, Head of Media Unit CPA and Victor Ivan ,Editor of Ravaya,at the discussion.
Religious Conversions
Religious Conversions: Is there a role for legislation? A panel discussion Religious Conver- sions, organised by CPA, was held Jan 31st at the Marga Auditorium. The panel comprised Kethesh Loganathan,and Cyrene Siriwardene, directors of CPA, and Javid Yusef, M.A. Sumanthiran and Manohara De Silva, attorneys at law.
Kethesh Loganathan of CPA Peace Unit addressing the participants

Page 3
A ternatives
Official Newsquarterly of the Centre for
Who's Afraid of Election Polls ...?
Pradeep Peiris and Reshma Harjani of Social Indicator (SI), attended the Fourth Regional Conference in Asia of the World Association for Public Opinion Research (WAPOR). The conference, ‘Opinion Research and the Public Interest’ was held in Manila, Philippines, 23rd - 24th,Feb and was attended by participants from the United States, Australia, Germany, and Switzerland among others
WAPOR President, Dr Frankovic,(Centre) w and Reshma Harjani o
On the 23th Pradeep Peiris presented a paper on ‘How Willing is the Sri Lankan Citizen to Compromise for a Just and Lasting Peace’.under the topic of Opinion Research and Conflict Situations. Sessions covered Election Surveys and Freedom of Speech or “Who’s Afraid
CMEV Movement was formed (FMM) and in 1997 the by Coalition the Centre against for Policy Political Alternatives Violence as (CP an non -partisan organization to monitor the incidence of election rela
During election CMEV releases media bulletins on major incidents on a daily basis and on a weekly basis, provides cumulative figures of the nature and type of incident of election -related violence along with the identification and analysis of provincial and
Activity in Focus
district level trends.
CMEV deploys monitors throughout the campaign on the basis of one per polling division. All monitors are asked to sign a pledge affirming their impartiality in the election and their commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process.
In addition international observers are engaged from a variety of countries and organizations including Article 19, Human Rights Watch, the International Commission of Jurists and the
Following the
electio recognit of its m as mem operati referendum (July a CMEV was invited t Citizens Election Wa setting up a mon Anand who coor monitoring exer Presidential election with the UNMIK i Edirimane,CMEV C invited to Afghanis United Nations Forc Violence Free Election >>Page 1
April 2004 election is
effect attributable to a number of In the North and East, CMEV
factors, most notably the role of felt that polling in the Jaffna
the Election Commissioner and District and in the Polling
the Police in ensuring adherence Divisions of Sammanthurai,
to election laws.. CMEV Potuvil and Kalmunai in the
congratulates the Elections Digamadulla District, warranted
Commissioner annulment and urged the Election Commissioner to considerdoing so and order a re poll in those areas . CMEV believes that the low level of violence and malpractice in the
of Election Polls”, Cross- C o u n t r y Opinion Research,
discus Opinion Research and
Polling Conflict Situations,
In Opinion Research and the
dissem Business Sector, Opinion
wider Polls as Contemporary
presen Philippine History and
discus Opinion Research and
confer Elections. The conference
greatly concluded with a panel
the SI in Marc
incide electio (Plea w w w r e s Inter 2004. and the Police on their
A Newspaper Supplem success in this regard and calls on the Police to
the Free Media Movem in all three langua act swiftly and
research_papers/New
January -March 2004
Predeep Peiris makes his presentation

id of Election Polls ...?
3 uarterly of the Centre for Policy Alternatives, Colombo, Sri Lanka
olicy olitical Alternatives Violence as (CPA), an independent the Free Media and dence of election related violence.
Focus
Guns,lies and Opinion Polls
An article by Pradeep Peiris,Co ordinator, Social Indicator appears in the Daily Mirror of 12/3/2004
http:// www.dailymirror.lk / 2004/03/12/opinion/ 1.asp
esearch, rch and tuations, h and the , Opinion mporary tory and rch and onference a panel
Do Not Violate...
WAPOR President, Dr. Kathleen A.
>>Page 1
Frankovic,(Centre) with Pradeep Peiris and Reshma Harjani of SI..
Asian Human R i g h t s Commission.
ollowing the Provincial Council elections,in 1997, in recognition of CMEV work, 04 of its monitors were chosen as members of the UNAMET operation in the East Timor eferendum (July and August 1999) and MEV was invited to assist the Malaysian itizens Election Watch (October 1999) in etting up a monitoring unit. Mr Dev nand who coordinated the CMEV onitoring exercise for the 1999 residential election, was chosen to work ith the UNMIK in Kosovo. Mr Udaya dirimane,CMEV Co ordinator,2001 was nvited to Afghanistan to work with the
nited Nations Force.
tion is mber of he role of ioner and adherence . CMEV Elections
Election Commissioner to
firmly resist any attempt
discussion on Opinion
made by any political party Polling and Elections.
or group to nominate In addition to disseminating KAPS to a wider audience, several
persons not whose names are in the district presentations and
nomination papers or discussions at conference contributed greatly to the success the
national lists submitted to
of
him during the nomination
the SI election survey held
period. in March 2004.
Section 64 (5) of the act,
would seem to suggest that
upon vacation of a national
list seat, the secretary of a
political party or the leader
of an independent group
may nominate any member
of such party or group to
replace the vacancy.
CPA urged the
Commissioner to reject
such an interpretation of
the Act which would serve
to defeat the will of the
people, in that candidates
whose merits the public had
not considered in the
exercise of the franchise,
would nevertheless become effectively to investigate the incidents of election and post
Members of Parliament.
election violence . (Please see http:// w w w . c p a l a n k a . o r g / r e s e a r c h _ p a p e r s /
More at : http://www. cpalanka.org/Press_Release_ Interim_Report_7thApril_
National_List_Nominations.htm 2004.pdf).
ewspaper Supplement on Religious Diversity and Tolerance by CPA and Free Media Movement, presented by Ravaya Publications and published all three languages is available at:http://www.cpalanka.org/ earch_papers/Newspaper _Supplement_Religious_Tolerance.pdf

Page 4
A ternatives
Official Newsquarterly of the Centre for P
C
alander of Events
For more updates on latest and upcoming CPA events, visit http://www.cpalanka.org/calendar_events.html
January
9th Public Lecture by Prof. Suri Ratnapala, on “Sri Lanka at the Constitutional Crossroads: Gaullist Presidentialism, Westminster Democracy or Tripartite Separation of Powers?”. 10th Vibhasha’s Certificate Awarding Ceremony for students who passed basic Sinhala/Tamil courses conducted in Amparai, Tissamaharama and Matara Regional Centers was held at Deberawewa Central College Tissamaharama. 18th Certificate Awarding Ceremony for students who passed the basic Sinhala /Tamil Language Course conducted by Vibhasha Translation Program, in the Kurunegala, Anuradhapura and Vavuniya Regional Centres, at the auditorium of the Central Banks Regional Office, Anuradhapura . 31st Panel Discussion on “Religious Conversions: Is there a role for legislation?”
February
10th-14th a series of Media Workshops on Federalism in Kandy, Colombo, Matara and Batticaloa with Forum of Federations,focusing on "Responsible Reporting Mechanisms." 11th Responsible Reporting in Power Sharing Arrangements. 12th Discussion on “Recent Developments in the Sudan Peace Process: Lessons for Sri Lanka” with a presentation by Prof. Nicholas Haysom. 26th Workshop on “Reconciliation after Violent Conflict: Challenges and Opportunities for Sri Lanka” for grassroots CBO activists, in collaboration with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA). 27th Workshop on “Reconciliation after Violent Conflict: Challenges and Opportunities for Sri Lanka” for policy makers and political actors (with IDEA). 28th Closed Door Discussion -recent developments in Burmese situation(with IDEA). 29th FOI workshop in Kurunegala.
March 6th Media Workshop in Matale –Third workshop on Conflict Sensitive Journalism (with Norad) 8th Open Media Conference on Election Monitoring –with AED 20th FOI workshop in Badulla, Matale(with The British 29th th
A Council)
Panel Discussion on “Constitution Reform in Sri Lanka: Options for the New Government” 30
Editors Round Table Discussion on Election Reporting and Media Responsibility-with AED MARCH 2004 -Preparation for CMEV Monitoring
(Conten of Parliamentary Elections April 2004, funded
and/or by Ausaid,CIDA,the National Democratic
ternati Institute,NORAD,and the Netherlands Embassy. This free newsletter is published by the Centre for Policy Alternatives, N
January -March 2004
13 - Desha from Rubin North 12th Ishaq of the Colom 14 on the Region Role 20 and h person Toron Policy 23 - Indica in Asia (WAPO held i 18 A an Int Freidr 23-24 was in and H Office meetin tre, B group stigma man r 30th ing an
Peace Monitor (Specia on Hum Rights a Peace)

4 arterly of the Centre for Policy Alternatives, Colombo, Sri Lanka
EVENTS ATTENDED vents
13th -16th Jan. Sanjana Hattotuwa and Sunanda
ents, visit tml
Deshapriya of Media Unit, CPA, Asbjørn Slot Jørgensen from the Danish School of Journalism (DSJ) and Marcus Rubin from International Media Support (IMS) visited the North and East of Sri Lanka uary
12th – 15th Rohan Edrisinha, Asanga Welikala and Nadia Ishaq of the Legal Unit attended the Regional Meeting of the Mont Perelin Society held at Kandalama and on “Sri
Colombo. 14th Feb Dr Saravanamuttu,ED,CPA, presented a paper on the “Social and Political Issues in the South Asian Region” at a meeting of the Asia Foundation on “The Role of the US in South Asia” in Dhaka, Bangladesh. 20th to 22nd Feb Sunanda Deshapriya, Director, CPA remony
and head of Media Unit, participated as a resource mil arama t rama.
person in the Media and Elections Seminar, held in Toronto, Canada, organised by the Institute for Media, Policy and Civil Society (IMPACS). 23rd - 24th Feb Pradeep Peiris and Reshma Harjani of Social Indicator (SI), attended the Fourth Regional Conference r
in Asia of the World Association for Public Opinion Research Tamil a
on nd cusing
aring
s in the
anka” som. iolent for Sri
ute for
). iolent for Sri ors
IDEA).
arch orkshop orad)
ith The
w
Election h AED
itoring funded
bassy.
olicy Alternatives, No 24/2, 28th Lane-Off Flower Road, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka.
(WAPOR),‘Opinion Research and the Public Interest’ held in Manila, Philippines. 18th Asanga Welikala of Legal Unit,CPA, participated in
ntres, at
an International Leadership Programme organised by Freidrich Nauman Stiftung in Germany onal
23-24th Mar Rohan Edrisinha, Director, Legal Unit,CPA was invited to attend the Experts Meeting on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights in Asia-Pacific organized by the
ion?”
Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.The meeting was held at the United Nations Conference Cen-
ruary
tre, Bangkok, Thailand. Mr. Edrisinha chaired the working group sessions on South Asia which discussed issues of stigma and discrimination, access to medication and hu- man rights and law reform. 30th Editors Round Table Discussion on Election Report- ing and Media Responsibility-with AED
Compiled by Chandrika Gadiewasam
(Contents of this newsletter may be reproduced and/or re-published with due accreditation to 'Al- ternatives-CPA')
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