Commonwealth takes tough stand on Maldives

The political crisis in the Maldives has taken a new turn with the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting this week in New York taking a tough stand against the moves to put off yesterday's run-off elections.

According to a statement issued in New York, the Ministers referred to the conclusions of the Commonwealth Observer Group on the September 7 Presidential Election, in particular the Group's comments that "this was a credible electoral process and met the standards for democratic elections to which the Maldives has committed itself."

The statement added: "Ministers further noted that national and other international observers had concluded that the 7 September election was competently administered, and that the Maldivian people had been free to express their will through the ballot.

"In this context, CMAG Ministers expressed concern at developments since the declaration of results of the first round poll, with one unsuccessful party having filed a case with the Supreme Court to annul the first round of the election because of alleged electoral fraud, and the Supreme Court subsequently issuing an injunction to delay the second round of the election until a court ruling is delivered in that case…

"CMAG Ministers welcomed the continued presence of Commonwealth Observers in Maldives, led by Dr Lawrence Gonzi, and looked forward to the continued close engagement of the Commonwealth Secretary-General's Special Envoy, Sir Donald McKinnon."

Dearly beloved wife of Rev. Dileepe de Alwis, precious mother of Dilshani, Deveshte and Dharini, loving mother-in-law of Daniel and Aulbrey, darling grandmother of Michael, Kamal, Nate and Anika (all of USA), beloved precious daughter of the late Stanmore Weerasinghe and Sylvia Weerasinghe and beloved daughter-inlaw of the late Douglas de Alwis and Nita de Alwis, much loved sister of Rev. Dr. Tissa Weerasingha, Sunil Ratnayake (USA) and Peter Weersingha (USA) and dearest sister-in-law of Margareta, Harris (USA), Rukma (USA) And Piyanjali (Australia), beloved aunt of Viveca and Stig (Norway), Ayesha and Sampath, Yohan and Anushka, Hiran and Maggie (USA), Niloo and Joshua (USA), Tami and Ben (USA), Amila (USA) and Raj and Susie, passed away peacefully in USA on 25th September 2013.