• If ideal candidate not fielded – Civil Collective

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

Almost every major political party will face elimination and pass into history if they do not field ideal candidates in their lists to contest the upcoming General Election, as the public is determined to vote against the corrupt political culture, the Civil Collective said.   

The Civil Collective comprising over 40 civil society organisations endorsed and introduced a 10-point criterion for the public to assess ‘a profile for an Ideal Political Candidate’ during the General Elections, which was launched in Colombo yesterday.   

Representing March 12 Movement and PAFFREL its Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said the political parties and its leaders should be extra careful in fielding their candidates through lists as the people are much aware of in electing public representatives with a clean slate in future.   

He said the people will clearly reject candidates with crooked and corrupt political backgrounds this time, paving the way for such political parties to pass into history.   

“Not only electing a rightful candidate for the Parliament but also the public should be concerned of sending those with a sound knowledge in parliamentary affairs as their policymakers to achieve the best,” Hettiarachchi said.   
Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu representing the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) said if the citizens wish to change the political culture of this country they should make sure to elect policymakers that are not tainted by corruption.   

“Think about whom you will vote for and think about the country you want to live with your children with integrity,” Saravanamuttu said.   

The launched assessment criteria comprises 10 points including education and qualification, state of physical and mental health, allegations of corruption, criminal record, honesty – integrity and ethical standards, willingness to declare assets and liabilities, performance records, community mindedness, non-racial and plan for the area.   
Leading organisations involved in Civil Collective are Colombo YMBA, National Peace Council of Sri Lanka, PAFFREL, Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, CMEV, CPA, National Movement for Social Justice, March 12 Movement, Muslim Council of Sri Lanka, All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulema, YWCA, National Shoora Council and YMMA.   

YMBA President Mahendra Jayasekara and Faisz Musthapha PC also spoke at the event.