BY Dr M D P DISSANAYAKE

Sri Lankans have once again strengthened the hands of HE President Mahinda Rajapakse ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in an unprecedented manner. The Provincial, Presidential and General Elections were wonƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  mainly due to the positive image of the President amongst the voters. The voters have found a unique person lead them and advance Sri Lanka to economic prosperity. Sri Lanka has abundance of economic resources which are still not exploited, it hasƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  well educated brand of work force with bilingual skills. The President is a living God for many Sri Lankans and expect the utmost during his tenure as their leader.

Now that election has been won, it is imperative to remember the main issues on which voters have placed their confidence in their Leader. There were many issues for which voters have loudly said ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-NOƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  And there are many other issues for which voters have overwhelmingly said ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-YESƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Therefore, we need to recall these main issues to remain in the public domain.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

What were the issues for which the voters have said ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-NOƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-NOƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ TO CORRUPTION, COLLUSION AND NEPOTISM:

The corruption, collusion and nepotism (CCN) is running through the system at an alarming rate. From the initial stage of getting your child admitted to a school to the point of securing an employment, getting a driving licence/passport/copy of birth certificate, approval for housing plan, land and house valuation. getting electricity or telephone for your home, ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ are all private money making businesses for those holding key positions.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Without knowing someone in a key position, it is virtually impossible to getƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  things done in the normal course of events.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  If you are related to someone in key role, they can influence instantly to get your tasks done, ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ by-passing several othersƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  who have no contacts.

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-NOƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ TO CONTRACT KILLINGS:

For the past several years, contract killings have increased. It is virtually impossible to sit down and discuss an issue in a friendly manner.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Those who are in powerful positions assume that they can get anything done, failing which those who disagreed will be eliminated.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  These thugs always wants to ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-teach a lesson or two ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- to their presumed enemies.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Some of these thugs can be well known people at city or village levels, they can be ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-main donorsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(pradhana dayakayas)ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  at Buddhist temples, behaving in total disregard to Lord BuddhaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s teachings;

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-NOƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  TO DRUG ABUSE AND SPREAD OF LIQUOR BAR LICENCES:

Since President Mahinda Rajapakse came into power, there has been a substantial reduction in liquor shops and drug abuse, compared to the days of former President Mrs Chandrika Kumaratunge. Also amongst youngsters , we cannot find many who smoke nowadays.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  These are good signs.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Yet, anyone can buy liquor on Poya Days, because most liquor shop owners keep stocks of liquor at hidden locations to sell at a premium price on Poya Days.

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-NOƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ TO EXTRAVAGENT SPENDING BY MINISTERS AND THEIR FAMILIES:

Whilst ordinary people were suffering due to lack of basic facilities of food,water, electricity, road, school and transport services, etc. many ministers and their families had luxurious lives at the tax payers expense.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Number of vehicles and the security personnel allocated to these privileged few were quite unnecessary. It is true that the former Foreign Minister Mr Rohitha Bogollegama (RB) has made a tremendous contribution in handling sensitive issues at critical moments.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  His mastery knowledge and diplomatic skills did save Sri LankaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  several embarrassing moments at the international forums.. RBƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  has been given a lesson in his life by the Colombo District voters for his lavish spending habits.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  RB was not alone in lavish spending, few others were given a reprieve by the voters for the last time.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It is ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ hoped ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ that RB has realized his foolish actions ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of the past.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Once the dust settles down, RB should be consideredƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  for a key advisory role as he is one of biggest success stores of MR regime. His contributions will be pivotal to the success of the government.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It is a grave loss to keep him side-lined for a long time due to lack of persons with his commanding and convincing skills.

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-NOƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ TO JUMBO CABINET, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-NOƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ TO LETHAGIC MINISTERS/DEPUTIES:

It is amazing to note that Sri Lankan Members of Parliament are screaming to get Ministerial portfolios.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Are they fighting to so hard, because they want to serve the Nation, or to serve their parties and families?.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Most of them are applying pressure on the President still trying to get into the Cabinet.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  For a tiny countryƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  such as Sri Lanka, we are already over governed. We have Local Government, Provincial Councils, Regional Governors and an Executive President.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Even 37 ministers of cabinet are too much, with 39 deputies.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Some of the ministers of the previous government were hibernating most of the time, the President himself had to intervene to solve the problems.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Bandula Gunawardene, Nimal Siripala de Silva, DEW Gunasekera, Susil Premajayantha, John Seneviratne, Jeevan Kumaratunga, Gamini Lokuge, Mahinda and Laxman Yapa Abeywardene, Geethanjana Gunawardene etcƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  could not solve most problems in their portfolios, they themselves became a problem rather than a solution.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Name sake ministers such as these are useless if we want to make Sri LankaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Wonder of AsiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. What is the use of having a Minister, if the President has to intervene each time to solve a problem?

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-NOƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ TO FEDERALISM:

India in the past has advocated a constitutional reform based on federalism.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Ranil WickremasingheƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  always supported Federalism with the likes of DEW Gunasekera, Mano Ganeshan.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  With the massive mandate the President has now obtained, FederalismƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  is now dead and buried, even before it was born in Sri Lanka.

Then on a brighter note, what were the issues for which the votersƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  have said ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-YESƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚:

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-YESƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ TO BRING DOWN COST OF LIVING:

The rising cost of living should be given top priority by the Government. Reducing essentialƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  food items few months before an election is bad politics.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  This is where Bandula Gunawardene failed miserably. Average families are struggling to meet the ends, due to daily increase in essential basic food items.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The new minister of agriculture Mr Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene has a dauntic task to impress the voters whether he can make a significant contribution to enhance the local production capacity with innovative thoughts and actions.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Mr Johnston Fernando as Minister for Co-operatives and Internal Trade has a massive challenge and responsibility to work in close co-ordination with the Minister of Agriculture in delivering products/services to the masses. As we see Mr Fernando as a vibrant talented man, we hope he will deliver the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-goods at the right time at the right priceƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚;

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-YESƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES;

As President has repeated mentioned during the elections, the jobs should be chasing prospective employees, rather than they are chasing jobs through Ministers.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Letters of recommendations from politicians should not be needed to get employment.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  If this is continued, what will happen to those employed youth, who have voted for the opposition.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  GovernmentƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  need to deliver its promises to all men and women seeking positions, based on their skills and qualifications, rather than letters from greedy politicians.

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”YESƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE LAND AND HOUSING:

Land values in Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s prominent areas are extremely high. We have heard recently that 25 perch block given free to Sarath Fonseka was worth Rs 90 million at Kirimandala Mawatha, Nawala.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  These land values are highly over-valued, compared with lack of sewerage, regular power supply, road services and abundance of mosquitos.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The government need to release large areas of land for average people to buy land at affordable price and build their nest egg with a loan at concessionary interest rate.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  If former Army Commanders are to be given such huge prices for 18 months of hard work, then average person on the street needs many more times of concessions to live as a proud citizen.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-YESƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ TO ACCELERATED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM:

Appointment of Mr Basil Rajapakse (BR) to this key roleƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  will undoubtedly provide confidence to all sectors.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  BR has been testedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  under trying conditions and he has delivered. Mr Wimal WeerawansaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  (WW) as Minister for Construction, Engineering and Housing has a key role to play with BR for the entire country.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The role assigned to WW is similar to that of late Mr R Premadasa, therefore a closely knit relationship with BR is essential.

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”YESƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ TO SETTLE SINHALESE IN NORTH AND EAST:

Within Unitary State, as many Sinhalese must be settled in North and East. For this to happen, it is not necessary to seek blessings of Dr Manmohan Singh of India or any other person. If Tamils can live in any part of Sri Lanka, if they can have Kovils in any part of Sri Lanka, there is absolutely nothing wrong if Sinhalese can live in any part of Sri Lanka and have Buddhist Temples or Churches etc in north and east.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Judging by the election results of Seruwila, it is clear that equal representation of Sinhalese in north and east ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ should become a reality.

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-YESƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ TO CONTINUE EXECUTIVE PRESIDENCY WITHOUT TIME LIMIT:

Executive Presidency should be continued and there should be no time limit for a particular candidate from contesting the election.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The Second Chamber ( or Senate) will be another waste of money and ought not to be pursued.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The roles of Regional Governors should be made redundant and they serve no useful purpose.

Our whole-hearted congratulations to the President Mahinda Rajapakse on election victories.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He has an enormous task ahead and we wish courage, good health for you to be able to fulfill these tasks.