Nimal Siri’s ‘Long Walk’ from Tawakkal ‘95 to Taisei ‘22

It is crucial to treat the root cause by introducing a new general election model under a democratic harmonised, professional culture

Which is more essential, the attack on illegal occupants at the Presidential Secretariat or the continuation of Emergency? No, they are both essential as we argued last Monday. “In house-cleaning, one will have to begin from the upper stories and throw the trash towards the ground floor. Likewise, the struggle against corruption will have to launch at the highest levels of the state” -- Amadou Toumani Touré [the general who overthrew Mali’s corrupt president Moussa Traoré in 1991]

A suspect on extortion charges, directly confronted by a foreign multinational, is back in the cabinet. He was accused of a similar deal in the first CBK Government, in 1995. Remember, the Thavakkal Cement deal? UNP posters appeared on city walls with the new cabinet’s group photo under a caption—“Kawda Hora?” [Who is the rogue]”— UPFA countered it with a poster depicting previous cabinet of UNP captioned, “kawda Horakam Nokala Eka?” [Who is not a rogue?]

The minister was asked by Gotabhaya to step down following the complaint. However, a committee cleared him, no wonder; the Principals would never come forward and give evidence against a minister [the buyer] for fear of black-listing; an established fact within the international trade. He has been reappointed at the cost of President’s credibility, people’s confidence in the government.  

 One of the most simplistic and merciless measures planned and sometimes carried out to control corruption, was to get rid of the corrupted politicians and bureaucrats in general, through the “slimming down of the state” and “privatization”. This policy was recommended by the IMF and World Bank, and other lending agencies and donors as far back as 80s and early 90s. It is increasingly recognised that the combat will have to start from the top. 

Elections only on due date

The agitators for an immediate General Election, unfortunately, have not given due concern to the hazards that if a General Election is held without correcting the inadequacies in the current system. If a General Election is held under the existing rules, the Parliament will continue have another useless set, hurling the country into more confusion and disorder.  Dishonest, corrupt, badly chosen, and immoral politicians will continue to represent the August assembly. The nomination lists are stuffed with the unsuitable! The voters, over the years have failed miserably in the election of candidates. Popular tele-drama actresses, sportsmen, illicit liquor dealers, bookie owners, goon leaders, criminals who can afford to throw nothing but money only received overwhelming support over genuine, educated and patriotic men. In my district, Kalutara, Nirmala Kotalawala, [Deputy Minister of Highways -2010] an honest man who garnered 82,044 votes and came third out of nine, was compelled to back out in 2015/20 for the simple reason, that he could not meet the finances essential for competing with his own party candidates, some of whom had excess of money earned through dubious means to throw leisurely in the dirty game. He could have easily entered into deals with interested entrepreneurs, promising ‘help’ after the elections, by wavering rules, regulations and moral ethics as others do in awarding tenders for multi-million contracts. But, he preferred to bow out of politics and remain loyal to his countrymen.

Voters are also partly to blame for they blindly follow ‘parties’ and family names like Senanayakes, Bandaranaikes, Rajapaksas and Premadasas, the same way they pay respect and venerate religions  and religious dignitaries or prefer Tele drama and Film idols. A good example is the behaviour of Gampaha District’s voters [the most literate out of the 22 districts]. During 2010 elections, a novice to politics, a young Tele-drama actress was invited by the UNP’s head in the district, none other than Karu Jayasuriya, to enter the fray. The nervous lady addressed the voters, speaking a few words saying, “I really know nothing about politics, ‘Karu Sir’ said he will take the responsibility, so I am here.” The results surprised everybody including the leader himself, who was pushed down to fourth place by the fresher, who scored the second place in the list. 

The new generation and the Aragalaya youth desire for disciplined, honest, and professionals who are capable of solving the critical problems to represent them. The new president has promised parliamentary executive committee system, giving its chairman a status equivalent to a cabinet minister. In the past 3 to 4 decades confining the cabinet to a fair number, below twenty has been difficult due to governments elected under the PR not gaining a substantial strength, the only rare exception being the last General elections.

It is crucial to treat the root cause by introducing a new general election model under a democratic harmonised, professional culture; politicians shall shed narrow differences like race, religion, caste, political differences.  The interim all-party rule or administration should consensually approve the above system changes comprising the hopes of the voiceless majority upstaged by the youth at Aragalaya.

But, for a long lasting system change?

 “We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. This is the divine mystery supreme. A wonderful thing it is and the source of our happiness. We need not wait to see what others do.” – Mahathma Gandhi 

 Do we have to change the Heads of State and Parliamentarians? Let’s start with ourselves. People from the lowest level of society to the highest, teachers make children to attend their tuition classes, principals soliciting bribes, lawyers swindling the clients, doctors’ strikes, ministers demanding commissions from international contractors, train drivers, guards and station masters unannounced work stoppages, electrical engineers at CEB on deal with private suppliers draining tanks to upset hydropower, bosses demanding sexual favors from employees.  Can we find solutions to above through constitutional or legal enactments?

 Newly built government officers keep hundreds of lights burning unnecessarily. Have the huge windows opened on upper floors and there will be enough day light and fresh air, and no need to switch on lights, ACs or fans. Impose limits on the use of electricity for decorative purposes and signs at shops places of worship. Steps had to been taken to persuade consumers to promote renewable generation. 
These things guide us to the beautiful idea personified in Michael Jackson’s, “Man In The Mirror”. Written by: Glen Ballard 

I’m gonna make a change

For once in my life ….This wind is blowing my mind -I see the kids in the streets
With not enough to eat - Who am I to be blind? -Pretendin’ not to see their needs ….If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
[Go to link for more- https://josephranseth.com/gandhi-didnt-say-be-the-change-you-want-to-see-in-the-world/]

(The writer can be contacted at  [email protected])