US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO592

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 COLOMBO 000592 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR INR/MR, I/RW, I/REC; PA 
SA/INS (CAMP, DEAN, WALLER) SA/PD (SCENSNY, ROGERS, 
STRYKER); SSA/PAS 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, PHUM, OPRC, KMDR, OIIP, PREL, CE, Elections, Political Parties 
SUBJECT:  MEDIA PLAY:  Sri Lankan Media Consumed by 
Parliamentary Elections 
 
 
1.  (U) Summary.  Sri Lanka's English and vernacular media 
offered exhaustive coverage and commentary about the 
nation's April 2 parliamentary elections.  The morning 
after the poll (4/3), glowing lead headlines focused on the 
relatively peaceful election.  The media also reported on 
election violations and violence.  When the dust settled, 
Sri Lanka's media reported on the still unofficial outcome 
of the poll, as well as a brief U.S. Embassy statement 
released 4/3 under the headline, "U.S. Embassy 
Congratulates Sri Lanka on Elections."  Three days after 
the election, the headlines continued to be occupied with 
speculation about the formation of a new government. 
Editorial comment about the election was heavy.  The issues 
of the election - the economy and the peace process - 
continued to occupy commentators.  One Sinhala commentator 
wrote, "The north - east crisis is our most crucial 
problem...  The other issue - the economy...  The need of a 
national plan is becoming more and more evident,"  while an 
English language editor noted, "The global support and the 
USD 4.5 billion available to underwrite a fair and just 
settlement must not be lost as the southern mainstream 
parties jockey for selfish advantage."  Editors were also 
concerned with the formation of a new government, 
especially given that no party has a majority in 
parliament.  One Tamil daily asked, "Will the minority 
parties support the UPFA to form the new government?"  End 
Summary. 
 
2.  (U)  The morning after the poll (4/3), glowing lead 
headlines focused on the relatively peaceful election. 
Independent English DAILY MIRROR reported (4/3), "Peaceful 
poll, huge turnout," while independent Tamil daily 
THINAKKURAL elucidated (4/3), "Most calm election in recent 
election history - more than 80% vote."  Independent 
Sinhala daily LAKBIMA soothed (4/3), "Election is peaceful 
despite a few isolated incidents."  Pro-LTTE Tamil daily 
SUDAR OLI offered (4/3), "Many voted early at this election 
- minor incidents in certain places - people in LTTE areas 
very pleased." 
 
 3.  (U)  The media also reported on election violations 
and violence.  Independent Sinhala daily DIVAINA reported 
(4/3), "Violence in Hanguranketha, Ragala and Senarathpura; 
voters threatened and ballots snatched."  Predictably 
partisan government-owned (and Kumaratunga-controlled) 
Sinhala daily DINAMINA cried (4/3), "Election terror in 
Hanguranketha,"  reporting about a UNP stronghold with a 
history of election-related violence.  Government-owned 
English sister DAILY NEWS chimed in (4/3), "Polls peaceful 
thanks to President's action - PAFFREL Chief - Black sheep 
Nuwara Eliya, Puttalam and Kurunegala."  Independent 
English daily ISLAND's headline was more even-handed (4/3), 
"Several govt., alliance politicians accused of polls 
violence." 
 
4.  (U)  Independent Sinhala daily LANKADEEPA looked to the 
North for headlines about election fraud (4/3), "5000 
Tigers came in buses for vote rigging, alleges 
Anandasangaree," quoting anti-LTTE Tamil United Liberation 
Front (TULF) leader V. Anandasangaree.   Surprisingly, pro- 
LTTE Tamil daily SUDAR OLI  also reported an allegations of 
violations in the North, "Lots of election malpractice in 
Jaffna and Wanni - Douglas and Anandasangaree accuse," 
referring to Eelam People's Democratic Party leader Douglas 
Devananda   and TULF leader Anandasangaree's complaints. 
Tamil media headlines giving voice to EPDP concerns are 
rare and are usually only found in government-owned Tamil 
daily THINAKARAN,  which obligingly reported (4/3), "EPDP 
wants election in Jaffna annulled." 
 
5.  (U)  When the dust settled, Sri Lanka's media reported 
on the still unofficial outcome of the poll.  Predictably, 
government-owned media chronicled a victory for President 
Kumaratunga's party, the United People Freedom Alliance 
(UPFA).  Government-owned English weekly SUNDAY OBSERVER 
gushed (4/4), "Freedom Alliance Triumphs," while sister 
government-owned Sinhala weekly SILUMINA  wrote (4/4), 
"Government to be formed by Alliance after its brilliant 
victory." Government-owned Tamil weekly THINAKARAN VAARA 
MANJARI added (4/4), "Great victory for UPFA." 
 
6.  (U)  The independent press was a bit more circumspect. 
Independent English weekly SUNDAY LEADER reported (4/4), 
"Verdict: A hung parliament," while independent English 
weekly SUNDAY ISLAND noted (4/4), "Close finish despite 
electorate landslide for Alliance."  Independent Sinhala 
weekly DIVAMINA observed (4/4), "Discussions all day long 
on forming a new government; Mahinda called urgently - 
Alliance ahead."  Of course, independent media outlets have 
their own agendas, too, as exhibited by independent Tamil 
weekly (and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) supporter) 
THINAKKURAL's headlines  (4/4), "No political camp able to 
form a government on its own," and "Ranil [Wickremesinghe] 
hopes for indirect TNA support to form the government." 
Finally, independent English weekly SUNDAY TIMES offered 
some certainty (4/4), "UPFA set to form a minority govt.-- 
UNF-CWC-TNA-SLMC coalition talks for control of hung 
Parliament." 
 
7.  (U)  Although the independent English DAILY MIRROR 
reported (4/3), "Major parties happy with polls," smaller 
political parties fretted about their role in the formation 
of a new government.  The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), whose 
slate of Buddhist monks yielded around nine seats, were a 
popular topic with the English and Sinhala media. 
Independent English weekly SUNDAY TIMES observed (4/4), 
"JHU monks prepare for historic role."  Independent English 
weekly SUNDAY ISLAND  noted (4/4), "JHU 'willing to 
cooperate,'" but independent Sinhala weekly SUNDAY 
LAKBIMA's headline contradicted (4/4), "Will not support 
any party; will be independent in the Parliament - JHU 
spokesperson."  Meanwhile, independent Sinhala weekly 
SUNDAY LANKADEEPA added (4/4), "JHU against getting TNA 
support to form government."  Voicing the concerns of the 
TNA, independent English weekly SUNDAY ISLAND's headline 
reported (4/4), "TNA seeks 'legitimate rights,'" while 
independent English weekly SUNDAY LEADER warned (4/4), "TNA 
will not help UPFA form a government." 
 
8.  (U)  Sri Lankan media paid considerable attention to a 
brief U.S. Embassy statement released 4/3 under the 
headline, " U.S. Embassy Congratulates Sri Lanka on 
Elections," and continued with the text of the Embassy 
release, "The U.S. Embassy congratulates the Sri Lankan 
people on the conclusion of a largely peaceful 
parliamentary election with an impressive level of voter 
turnout.  We applaud the performance of the Election 
Commission and the police.  We look forward working with 
the new government elected by the people of Sri Lanka.  We 
hope that the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tami 
Eelam will return to the negotiating table as quickly as 
possible to forge a lasting peace."  Government-owned 
English weekly SUNDAY OBSERVER crowed (4/4), "US Embassy 
Congratulates," while government-owned Sinhala weekly 
SILUMINA observed (4/4), "Ready to work with a new 
government - says America."  Independent Sinhala weekly 
DIVAMINA added its own spin (4/4), "It was a peaceful, free 
election - American Embassy says."  Tamil newspapers 
reported directly on their concerns.  Independent Tamil 
weekly THINAKKURAL reported (4/4), "America wants the new 
government to commence talks with the LTTE," while 
independent Tamil weekender VIRAKESARI echoed (4/4), "The 
new government would talk to the LTTE - America is hopeful 
- US Embassy." 
 
9.  (U)  Three days after the election, the headlines 
continued to be occupied with speculation about the 
formation of a new government.  Independent English DAILY 
MIRROR asked (3/5), "Kadirgamar new PM? - President likely 
to create post of Deputy Premier,' and reported on the JVP, 
"40 seats for JVP - dominating role in UPFA victory." 
Government-owned English DAILY NEWS reiterated (4/5), 
"Freedom Alliance clear winner," and offered, "JVP will 
take the country on correct path." Independent English 
daily ISLAND's headline described the situation (4/5), 
"UPFA to form govt. - Kadir [Lakshman Kadirgamar] tapped to 
be next premier - [Jathika] Hela Urumaya neutral." 
Independent Sinhala daily LAKBIMA noted (4/5), "UNP 
prepared to sit at the opposition, obeying democracy." 
Independent Tamil daily THINAKKURAL voiced the LTTE 
perspective (4/5), "A joint voice of the Tamils for Tamil 
sovereignty - LTTE statement regarding the victory of TNA." 
 
10.  (U)  Editorial comment about the election was heavy. 
The issues of the election - the economy and the peace 
process - continued to occupy commentators. One Sinhala 
commentator wrote, "The north - east crisis is our most 
crucial problem...  The other issue - the economy...  The 
need of a national plan is becoming more and more evident," 
while an English language editor noted, "The global support 
and the USD 4.5 billion available to underwrite a fair and 
just settlement must not be lost as the southern mainstream 
parties jockey for selfish advantage."  Editors were also 
concerned with the formation of a new government, 
especially given that no party has a majority in 
parliament.  One Tamil daily asked, "Will the minority 
parties support the UPFA to form the new government?" 
 
 
----- Under the headline, "Peoples' verdict and the 
promises," independent Tamil daily VIRAKESARI commented 
(4/3) ,"Both parties have promised to continue the peace 
process, to uplift the economy and to solve the 
unemployment problem..  It is the duty of those elected to 
fulfill these promises.." 
 
Editorial excerpts. 
 
The responsibility of electing the government is left in 
the hands of 12,899,032 voters of this country..  There are 
5,698 candidates vying for the 225 seats in the parliament. 
All of them cannot get elected..  All those contesting 
cannot win, and the losers should be able to take it up.. 
Political parties, candidates and the supporters should 
bear this in mind..  The president and the prime minister 
have requested the people to respect law and order and make 
way for a free and fair election..  Both parties have 
promised to continue the peace process, to uplift the 
economy and to solve the unemployment problem..  It is the 
duty of those elected to fulfill these promises.. 
 
End editorial excerpts. 
 
----- Under the headline, "Winners, losers and 
opportunities," independent English weekly SUNDAY ISLAND 
opined about saving the peace process and the economy 
(4/4), "The global support and the USD 4.5 billion 
available to underwrite a fair and just settlement must not 
be lost as the southern mainstream parties jockey for 
selfish advantage." 
 
Editorial excerpts. 
 
The best thing Kumaratunga can do for this country is to 
work towards a national government that she sought not so 
long ago from a position of weakness.  This she can do from 
her present position of strength and Wickremesinghe and his 
party must cooperate if such an opportunity presents 
itself.  That is the best way to negotiate a settlement of 
the ethnic question with the LTTE on terms that are fair to 
both sides.  The global support and the USD 4.5 billion 
available to underwrite a fair and just settlement must not 
be lost as the southern mainstream parties jockey for 
selfish advantage. 
 
End editorial excerpts. 
 
----- Under the headline, "Freedom," government-owned 
English weekly SUNDAY OBSERVER commented (4/4), "The people 
have rejected the UNF Government lock, stock and barrel and 
ushered in a vibrant new era placing their trust in one who 
has promised them permanent peace and happiness." 
 
Editorial excerpts. 
 
At the time of writing the United People's Freedom Alliance 
appears to be romping home to victory and set to form the 
new Government.  After burning his fingers in a brief, but 
costly interlude with the United Front Government led by 
Ranil Wickremesinghe, the voter has once more reposed trust 
in the country's charismatic President Chandrika 
Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, a warm, caring human being, a 
stateswoman of dynamism and courage.  Cometh the hour, 
cometh the person..  The UNF tried by hook or by crook to 
prevent the Freedom Alliance from being formed and when 
that failed, tried to destroy it, by spreading vile 
canards, character assassination and all else that is evil. 
The people have rejected the UNF Government lock, stock and 
barrel and ushered in a vibrant new era placing their trust 
in one who has promised them permanent peace and happiness. 
 
End editorial excerpts. 
 
----- Under the headline, "Out of a hung Parliament, " 
independent English weekly SUNDAY TIMES commented (4/4), 
"The need is for the major parties to get together.  For 
what we have inherited from this election is a hung 
Parliament and the Premier trying suicidally to form a 
Government with the minorities and the President to form a 
minority Government." 
 
Editorial excerpts. 
 
The masses have spoken, but not in one voice..  The end 
result -- a split nation, a hung Parliament and a minority 
government.  . the backstage negotiations had already begun 
from the early hours of last morning even as the results 
were still pouring in.  Promises of support and inducements 
of a varied nature were on offer to all and sundry, 
especially in the smaller parties, just to string together 
a majority in Parliament and a Government that will be 
wobbly as ever..  Out of this pot-pourri emerges a familiar 
call, ignored by the political leaders of our times.  The 
need is for the major parties to get together.  For what we 
have inherited from this election is a hung Parliament and 
the Premier trying suicidally to form a Government with the 
minorities and the President to form a minority Government. 
 
End editorial excerpts. 
 
----- Under the headline, "Right vision for national issues 
and crises, " independent Sinhala weekly SUNDAY LANKADEEPA 
- commented (4/4), "The north - east crisis is our most 
crucial problem...  The other issue - the economy...  The 
need of a national plan is becoming more and more evident." 
 
Editorial excerpts. 
 
The north - east crisis is our most crucial problem.  The 
solution to that should be a lasting one.  The way to that 
solution is definitely the peace talks.  Though it can't be 
done with a single stroke of a pen, we hope those required 
have a right approach to it.  The other issue - the 
economy.  We are not self sufficient in rice or fish . Our 
unemployment problem is also really grave.  Annually it 
gets worse.  The need of a national plan is becoming more 
and more evident. 
 
End editorial excerpts. 
 
----- Under the headline, "The only way out - 2, 
"independent English daily ISLAND commented (4/5), "The 
results of this election do indicate that a new set of 
political forces has come into play.... As we pointed 
out... co-operation between the SLFP and the UNP is the 
only way out of this political quagmire." 
 
Editorial excerpts. 
 
The results of this election do indicate that a new set of 
political forces has come into play....  For the first time 
... TNA will be the sounding board of the LTTE on the most 
significant political issue, war or peace.  Thus, 
parliament will become the threshing floor of this issue 
unlike earlier when the debating grounds even went 
overseas....  The JVP in this parliament becomes a key 
player with about 40 MPs....  Their MPs have scored huge 
preference votes and the party is bound to stake claims for 
plum portfolios in the cabinet....  The third significant 
development is the emergence of the Buddhist monks as a 
political party in parliament.  In this hung parliament 
they could become a decisive Third Force, which was one of 
their prime objectives....  As we pointed out in our 
editorial on Saturday, co-operation between the SLFP and 
the UNP is the only way out of this political quagmire. 
 
End editorial excerpts. 
 
----- Under the headline, "Will the minority parties 
support the UPFA to form the government?" independent Tamil 
daily VIRAKESARI asked (4/5), "Will the minority parties 
support the UPFA to form the new government?" 
 
Editorial excerpts. 
 
The election is over.  According to the elections 
commissioner, more than 75 percent of the voters have cast 
their votes.  Neither the UPFA nor the UNF gained an 
absolute majority in the parliament..  As the UPFA has won 
more seats than any other party, the President has called 
the UPFA to form the next government..  There was 
speculation that the UPFA would seek the support of the 
Jathika Hela Urumaya, which has won nine seats, to form the 
next government, but Venerable Uduwe Dhammaloka Thero has 
clearly stated that JHU will stand neutral in the 
parliament..  So the UPFA is left with choice of CWC, SLMC 
or TNA..  Although the CWC contested the election under the 
UNP symbol, the pre-election agreement between the UNP and 
the CWC empowered CWC leader Arumugam Thondaman to use his 
discretion..  The CWC, SLMC and the TNA during their 
election propaganda stated that their respective parties 
are going to be the kingmakers.  Will the minority parties 
support the UPFA to form the new government? 
 
 
End editorial excerpts. 
LUNSTEAD