Sri Lanka’s Timely Presidential Election

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has called for a presidential election for mid-January.   A calculated move to hold a presidential election before the parliamentary elections set for next April, this election could lock in a second term for Rajapaksa before his post war popularity wanes.  While Rajapaksa appears to be a strong incumbent, his re-election campaign could be complicated by the presence of General Sarath Fonseka the former Chief of Defense, who is speculated to run against the president.

General Fonseka, the head of the Sri Lankan army has recently spoken out about the treatment of Tamil detainees in camps and stated that he aims to fight for democracy and human rights in Sri Lanka.  This statement has drawn attention from opposition groups, who are considering supporting the General in his potential run for President.  While this does has yet to create a concrete change of situation for the remaining 130,000 Tamil detainees, Fonseka's candidacy may alter the tone of Rajapaksa's reelection campaign.

Speaking of the remaining detainees, President Rajapaksa is trying to reverse his international perception by setting dates for opening up refugee camps.  In a recent announcement, Sri Lanka will reportedly allow greater freedom of movement to refugees in the military guarded camps on December 1st.  Also, according to the Sri Lankan Head of Refugee Resettlement Body, Basil Rajapaksa, the Presidents brother, that beginning in December refugees will allowed to leave the camps for one or two days at a time but not permanently.   The government has also pledged to resettle the remaining 130,000 refugees by the end of January, a deadline that has been delayed at least once.

This announcement was given days after the UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, John Holmes, voiced his concern over the displaced Tamils freedom to leave the camps.   This new timeline is consistent with President Rajapaksa promise to Ban Ki-moon, to release all refugees by February.    

GI-NET will continue to follow the situation in Sri Lanka during this process to ensure that civilians do not remain the targets for intimidation, summary execution, enforced disappearances and torture at the hands of armed groups in Sri Lanka.