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We need a national unity government for the next five years
Sri Lanka’s political history has seen many changes. During the past few months political parties and personalities have changed and some have changed their political hues with changes in our political culture.
To all citizens of this country, whatever race or religion, to those who visit our country, and to those who work in Sri Lanka, the political framework is fundamental.
If we act without bitterness and divisiveness and with humility, compassion and kindness, with patience and wisdom, the people will experience happiness, contentment and progress. Division and revenge will not sustain a country, but instead will bring sorrow and moral decay.
Burma or Myanmar was a country of many races and faiths. When Gen. Ne Win established military rule one of his first decrees was that all those people must consider themselves as citizens of Burma whatever their religion.
In Sri Lanka, unfortunately, the divisions of race and religion have often taken precedence over citizenship and nationhood.
Those who did not wish to accept citizenship in Burma were given 24 hours to leave the country with a promise of assistance to expedite their departure.
They included some Indian businessmen whose commitment and loyalty were to their home country rather than to Burma, which is rich in natural resources, including precious stones.
In Sri Lanka, we see many viharas, churches, mosques and Hindu kovils.
While most people remain steadfastly Buddhist, Hindu, Christian or Muslim, there are others who move from one faith to another.
Many are those who worship both at a Buddhist temple and a Hindu kovil. Recently we read of an instance where Christian clergy offered alms to Buddhist monks. For Vesak and Poson celebrations, generous contributions are made by people of all faiths. Sri Lankans of all religions go to the sacred mountain of Sri Pada. This is an example that our Politicians should follow.
President Maithripala Sirisena was elected by people of all races and religions. Accordingly this election has opened a new vista and hopefully, a fresh beginning for our society, which has suffered turmoil for a long time.
The United National Party, the key player in the new National Unity Government has a great responsibility towards the country. The interim budget which provided relief to the people was approved by a huge majority in parliament with only one MP voting against it. The vote shows there is consensus on key issues on good governance and constitutional reforms.
I believe for the next five years, we should have consensus politics where all parties support measures for the common good of the country.
A word on security in our day to day lives: In Japan there are no locks to the doors of houses. They have a simple system to ensure privacy and safety. In Sri Lanka we build our houses with bricks and concrete, the hardest of timber and doors and locks. Yet we have, unlike in Japan, no shortage of burglars, despite CCTV cameras, which are common in houses now.
Why is it that in an environment where adherence to religions abounds, we have so many wrong doers and our prisons are filled to capacity? This is a shame. The new Government has, therefore, the immediate task of bringing about the Law and Order it promised, and for ‘justice’ to be dispensed without fear and favour.
As in the case of the consensus reached on the budget, would it not be to the future well-being of this country, if the next general election brings forward a National Leadership which has the support of all parties and faiths? Many will say that this is too much to expect. At the same time much can be achieved if we truly set our minds to it.