Letters
View(s):Overseas Sri Lankans concerned about corruption, abuse of power
Sri Lankans living in a foreign land are concerned with the ongoing pre-election activities in the country. Politics interest them as much as most voters back home. It is common to observe their discussions and arguments in gatherings sometimes culminating into heated arguments but on a friendly note.
While spending a holiday currently in Melbourne, Australia I got the opportunity of encountering some in such assemblies where interesting views are expressed on the Presidential poll.
All of them appear to be very conversant with what is going on in Sri Lanka now, being well informed through the mass media available to them in unedited format. It is interesting to note how updated they are about the relevant events and happenings. In addition they are also open to more inside information from their kith and kin in their home country.
Here are some of their comments and views:
- The majority feel that Sri Lanka has gone through an admirable development phase particularly regarding the face lifting of the cities and urban areas. They are proud to hear the positive comments made by visiting foreigners.
- They also agree that the road development activities too deserve appreciation.
- None had any reservations about the value attached to the ending of the war.
- Some commented about the living standards of their kith and kin in remote areas and stated that a higher degree of priority should have been given to this matter.
- On an average all condemned the election violence and state patronage for election campaigning by the government.
- Most of the expats expressed views about matters that Presidential rule should have avoided. Among the main concerns are:
- Interference with the judiciary, removal of the Chief Justice cited as an example,
- Callous disregard for judicial decisions like reappointment of the Treasury Secretary after a judicial disqualification
- Amendment of the Constitution to provide for a third term for the President when the Parliament too is concerned with the removal of the Executive Presidency and a Select Committee is already in place
- Disregard of the provisions of the 18th amendment to the Constitution the main focus of which was for good governance and democratisation of administration,
- Incredible tolerance of indiscipline and wanton behaviour of Government MPs and certain Cabinet Ministers by the powers that be
- Short-term nature of the economic policies with no visible sustainability
- State-sponsored suppression of rampant corruption
- Excessive wastage involved in the development projects mostly associated with corruption
- Actions taken by some cabinet ministers to diffuse some established organisations and institutions in the country including leading trade unions,
- Rapid deterioration of the leading Government institutions such as state banks, Electricity Board and Petroleum Corporation, SriLankan Airlines and Mihin Air.
Most of these persons feel that the current trend in the country for a change with the polarisation of political forces both pro government and opposition would pave the way for a more acceptable future political culture for the country.They anticipate an internationally-friendly government. It was a common view expressed at these gatherings that if not for these shortcomings the country could have smoothly sailed towards a parliamentary rule by uniting all forces.
T. Rusiripala
A retired banker
Plea to Maithri: Hold a Referendum
As a common man, this is probably a last plea that you would hear from an ordinary citizen before you acquire the honorific title, His Excellency before your name. HE comes with a thick cloud of security, advisors, and political leaders that will engulf you. Sadly, this will totally disconnect you from the ordinary citizens of this country, their aspirations, difficulties and needs. The political leaders, i.e. your new friends surrounding you will poison you within a week by their own agendas and favours they expect in return. The reflections you hear will be always biased and filtered. You must not forget that some of these political leaders defected, simply because they had no alternative as their supporters had anyway decided to defy them. Therefore, your success represents your popularity and trust with the people and not the coalition.
The honourable duty will be to establish our values or principles in our new constitution as early as possible before all priorities are blurred by this ‘cloud’ that will permanently surround you. Establishment of the principles of Constitution via a referendum will make it impossible for selfish politicians to convert their position of power a private windfall for them.
If sanctioned by the public, a referendum on the Principles of our Constitution will create a wave of reform in the country that will set the foundation to take this nation to the developed status. Sadly, this would not be a popular move amongst most of your friends as their survival depends on the promises they make to achieve these principles, piece meal.
Right to live and live anywhere in this country
This will ensure that all claims for separate ‘states’ or ‘districts’ are illegal. This will also ensure that no person can be discriminated by religion, race or cast. We shall be a true ‘One state, One nation’.
Right to equal opportunity
This will completely remove political appointments from the system. All jobs, training opportunities will have to be based on a transparent selection process. Furthermore, welfare and benefits and even school entry will have to be done in a transparently-scrutinised open system.
Right to free education and free health care
This is most important and it goes with ethics. All students qualifying for university entry will have to be given university places, or else will have to be sponsored to find education opportunities elsewhere. Remember, Health is our Wealth.
Right to seek financial accountability from those holdng public office
This will most importantly prevent willy-nilly expenditure of public money.This will also give an opportunity to prosecute irresponsible public officers including politicians.
Right to freedom of expression
Without constructive criticism there will be no development. This is the only self-correcting mechanism that a nation will have to ensure righteousness.
Right to justice
This will ensure a law and order system that will pivot around justice, which is interpreted by the common man as fairness.
Most importantly, once established, this new Constitution would be amendable only by another referendum. Thus, the Parliament will have to behave accordingly whether its members like it or not. This is because this Constitution was established by people and not by the MPs. At last, the people will re-gain the driving seat from shrewd politicians for ever.
Chula Goonasekera
(Professor of Anaesthesiology 2002 – 2013) University of
Peradeniya