FORUM-ASIA expresses its grave concern over the present political
repression and human rights abuse in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the presidential
elections. All political actors in the country must take immediate steps to
ensure due process and respect for democratic norms and human rights in Sri
Lanka.
(Bangkok, 3 February 2010) The Asian Forum for Human Rights and
Development (FORUM-ASIA), a membership-based organisation representing 46 human
rights NGOs across Asia, expresses its grave concern over the present political
repression and human rights abuse in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the presidential
elections. All political actors in the country must take immediate steps to
ensure due process and respect for democratic norms and human rights in Sri
Lanka.

On 29 January 2010, the Commissioner of Elections of Sri Lanka declared
that incumbent President Mahinda Rajapakse won the election held two days
earlier. Observing the conduct of this election, independent election
monitoring groups, local and international, agree that acts of election-related
violence on the very day were not many. However, they said that the violations
of election laws in the pre-election period were of unacceptable levels. In
counting process of votes, too, serious allegations were noted in certain counting
centres.

Political cartoonist Prageeth Ekneliyagoda has been missing since his
abduction on the night before the election. Chandana Sirimalwatte, Editor of
the pro-opposition Lanka newspaper, is in custody on unspecified charges
and his office has been sealed. Several other journalists, including trade
union activists in the state radio and television stations, have been subjected
to assault and intimidation. Access to several websites was temporarily blocked
by the state Telecommunications Regulatory Commission on and after the election
day. The offices of the main opposition candidate Sarath Fonseka have been
raided and his office workers and security officers detained.

Violence intensified in the aftermath, mainly intimidation and
harassment of the opposition candidate and his supporters, as well as the media.
This created fear for political unrest and instability that will extend into
and beyond forthcoming parliamentary elections.

FORUM-ASIA is deeply concerned about these reports of human rights
violations and abuses. The organisation calls upon the government of Sri Lanka
to create immediately an environment that protectsthe
rights of all citizens, specially addressing people of north and east who fear penalization
for voting to the opposition. All institutions mandated to safeguard democracy
and accountability, including the Constitutional Council, the National
Elections Commission, the National Police Commission and the National Human
Rights Commission, should be legally constituted as provided in the 17th
Amendment to the country's Constitution.

The President Mahinda Rajapakse must call on his supporters and members
of the government to end political intimidation and revenge. Arbitrary arrests
and detention, enforced disappearances and torture must end and respect for
freedom of expression in Sri Lanka must be respected.
He should also focus on rebuilding 
economy, creating a political framework to fulfil the aspirations of all
Sri Lankans, including those of minority ethnic and religious communities,
especially to those who have been most affected by years of the civil war.