We are at the tail-end of the Wickremesinghe led regime. Even of some can’t afford the luxuries they enjoyed five years ago they can be happy that they are able to enjoy so much freedom as citizens of a democratic country. Now a presidential election is approaching and the echoing voices are calling for a change. 

People are flocking behind two candidates: Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Sajith Premadasa. Both have been questioned about certain questionable deals where questions were raised about how the former spend state finances and other regarding an alleged illegal recruitment procedure. The important thing here is that Gotabaya and Sajith have no choice. It’s the people who have a choice whether to cast their votes for candidates like them. 

It’s high time that the Sri Lankan voter educates himself or herself about the Constitution, amendments to the constitution and reads up on the law. Politicians love ignorant people who have to be educated about their rights as citizens. 

• The Sri Lankans must educate themselves on amendments to the constitution
• But in most issues, it’s the less affluent who are targeted

A pertinent question raised these days is that if the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution presents an opportunity to abolish the executive presidency, why are we all spending so much money to have a presidential election? The biggest joke is that the JVP which proposed the 20th Amendment is also fielding a candidate for the presidential elections. 

Premier Wickremesinghe states that its an old election pledge to abolish the executive presidency and lawmakers should grab this opportunity. But the voices of descent were more so the forces who wished to see the Executive Presidency remain won the day. Ranil may have also seen a great opportunity to clip the wings of the president further being lost during this drama. 

Election propaganda

At the time of writing the numbers being added to the list of presidential candidates were increasing slowly. For the record former Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake is also in the running. Many are of the view that by contesting for the presidency, despite a large sum money invested as the cash deposit being busted, contestants who don’t win also gain much more than a little publicity. But people are no fools. Presidential hopeful Nagananda Koddithuwakku began with a bang, but is now somewhat operates on a low key. A recent facebook post regarding him and relating to his election manifesto includes an interesting saying and is worth reproducing. This post indicates that Sri Lankan citizens will be identified as Sri Lankan nationals giving no bearing to religion and race. This post has attracted much criticism from Sinhala Buddhist hardliners who ask the question whether Nagananda wants to wipe out the Sinhala race? 

Extremists in this country have survived because of past presidents who supported their agendas. Many are of the opinion that Gota and Sajith still haven’t promised anything constructive to the Tamils in the north. 

Right now the Tamil vote is undecided even though Ranil or a candidate who gets his blessings is likely to receive the blessings of this minority community.

TNA MP Abraham Sumanthiran has thrown a challenge at all presidential hopefuls who are lawmakers to pass the 20th Amendment in parliament before the much looked forward to presidential elections. Sumanthiran has affirmed that the TNA’s support, to a presidential candidate of their choice, would hinge on the individual’s competence to settle the Tamil national question and abolish the executive presidency.  

Heavy restrictions on internet usage and unwanted government control of web users indicate a government’s fear of a social uprising

The May Day rallies each year tell us a sad story about the true status of the downtrodden masses. The people who belong to this category are vulnerable to the antics of politicians. Favours to them range from offering a mere rice packet at the May Day rally to jobs in the government sectors. For the record the Elections Commissioner Mahendra Deshappriya has warned that no job recruitments can take place in state institutions if they amount to elections propaganda. He has also banned government functions which will be aimed at obtaining a political advantage. MP  Bandula Gunawardene has warned that there could be attempts to admit children to national schools targeting the upcoming elections. Some of these questionable acts go on to prove that politicians have taken the country’s citizens for granted. We cant blame only the poor. During the past government there were academic like engineers who played to the tune of the Rajapaksas and had to compromise on professional thinking; just because they had got used to a thumping salaries and had the responsibility of feeding their families. 

But in most issues, it’s the less affluent who are targeted and manipulated by these politicians. Education plays a major role in eradicating the evil from this society. First and foremost politicians must be educated. There have been occasions when ‘voices airing their views in the newspapers’ have time and again stressed that anyone having less than a degree, from a reputed university, should not be allowed to enter parliament. 

On the other side of the equation every citizen must have a degree or an equivalent to a degree. If this happens politicians will think twice before messing with an educated person. 

Sri Lanka needs a visionary leader who raises the poor form the depths of debt. This country doesn’t need a leader who turns a blind eye on poverty and later gets to know that citizens are almost dead and buried in a struggle to settle unpaid microfinance debts. Another factor that needs close attention is the slow internet speed that users have to put up with in Sri Lanka together with the occasional blocking of social media. High speed internet facility together with freedom of posting content on social media are trends that the Sri Lankan Government must follow and promote. Heavy restrictions on internet usage and unwanted government control of web users indicate a government’s fear of a social uprising. As for the people of Sri Lanka, social media sites are forums which both white and blue collar workers can use to nudge lawmakers and remind them that even a king can fall from grace!