17 September 2024 02:06 am Views - 220
SLMA wishes that all measures would be taken by election candidates and political parties to ensure that there is a peaceful election
The SLMA underscores the need to take safety measures by those responsible when conducting the election
The country’s supreme medical association states that there is distinct danger in the air when considering the pre-election performance of candidates and their political parties
* The SLMA states that detrimental statements should not be issued in connection with rival candidates using nationality, ethnicity and religion
*The SLMA advices those using modern media portals such as social media and Artificial Intelligence not to harm media ethics and existing regulations in the country
As the premier organization that is primarily engaged in safeguarding the health and well-being of the people of Sri Lanka, the SLMA states that it’s its bounden duty to bring to the attention of all Presidential Candidates that all propaganda efforts and behaviour of candidates and their supporters should not cause any worries to the public and elections authorities
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Dr. Ananda Wijewickreme SLMA President |
Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) is of the view that there should be a peaceful atmosphere for people to cast their votes at the upcoming Presidential Elections.
The SLMA also adds that all safety measures ought to be taken by the officials of institutions that are responsible in conducting the election.
The population of this country have arrived at a decidedly vital period in history.
A press release issued by SLMA states that election candidates and political parties also have a role to play ensuring that there is a peaceful election.
The press release further states, “The time has come for the most responsible task of deciding on the future of the country and the people have gotten ready to exercise their franchise. They have shown an interest and commitment this time which is not second to any such election held before. However, when we consider the pre-election performance of the candidates and their political parties, we realise that there is a distinct danger when considering the appearance of situations and assume that there would be various threats to rights of the people. As the premier organisation that is primarily engaged in safeguarding the health and well-being of the people of Sri Lanka, it is our bounden duty to bring to the attention of all Presidential Candidates the following conditions that need to be fulfilled to ensure a peaceful and fair election and its aftermath”.
Some of these conditions specified are:
1. All propaganda efforts and behaviour of candidates and their supporters should not cause any worries and concerns regarding the election process itself during the election and its post-election period.
Nor should they incite acts of interference with the official duties of elections officials; either directly or indirectly.
2. There should not be any hate-mongering and propagation of false information using various media.
3. Detrimental statements should not be issued in connection with rival candidates using nationality, ethnicity and religion.
4. All candidates and their supporters and political parties should desist from engaging in acts and statements that promote hatred, induce conflicts and lead the way to physical clashes.
5. Supporting and promoting of any acts that threaten people and induce their supporters to engage in such acts should be totally avoided by all concerned.
6.When using modern media portals such as social media and Artificial Intelligence, checking on scrupulous attention that harm media ethics and existing regulations in the country should be the responsibility of candidates and their supporters.
7.Conducting election campaigns in keeping with the election rules, regulations and guidelines and updating the supporters on these aspects should be the responsibility of elections candidates.
The SLMA state that it is their duty to point out that ensuring public order and security by implementing all of the above recommendations during the pre-election, during the election and post-election periods is the responsibility of all who are involved in this Presidential Election.