Sri Lanka General Elections: Whom to Vote In & Whom to Vote Out

2010 for Sri Lanka has been all about elections so far. The Presidential Elections concluded peacefully and an overwhelming majority supporting the incumbent President, stupefying the main opposition who thought its candidate had bagged victory before elections were even held.

April 8th will see the general elections and as expected posters adorn every area that candidates can be posted & finally the power of the vote returns to the voter. Ministers/MPs are now bending over to ensure they are voted back into parliament.

The present election system has brought with it plenty of ills. One such is the preferential voting system wherein within one’s own party; members are scurrying to obtain majority “manape”.

The system is such that it leaves a floor open to crossovers by members purely based on the remuneration they are likely to be rewarded for such a crossover. It was the result of such a wafer thin majority that compelled the incumbent President to dangle some carrots leading to 108 ministerial level portfolios. While most find fault with the jumbo Government, the flipside would have been endless elections for the country – thus, giving portfolios has become the only means by which to clasp the allegiance of ministers.

Nevertheless it is interesting how portfolios have been handed out. There are 50 cabinet ministers, 39 non cabinet ministers and 19 deputy ministers making a grand total of 108, How far they have worked for the betterment of the country and its people should be decided by the people at the present election. We are well aware that the infrastructure improvements seen throughout the country has been by far the best so far. But, with scope for improvements especially in areas that still are denied proper roads, proper drinking water and electricity. How far the provincial councils have functioned in this regard is also noteworthy and questions their role as well.

Nevertheless, there are numerous dark areas that need to be enhanced and it must be reiterated that creating ministerial portfolios etc has not really done justice to fulfilling the demands of the people of rural Sri Lanka. Therefore, it does bring up the question of the aim of the present government to secure a two thirds majority that would enable them to have an outright majority and facilitate a minimal cabinet. This does make sense and also prunes down the attached financial burdens that once again get billed back to the public. Of course the present clan of ministers is unlikely to like that however at present their lookout goes nothing beyond actually winning votes and reentering parliament therefore much as they may not like to have a pruned parliament they have little choice. The fact of the matter remains for them to have any clout over what happens they must first enter parliament!

Another area that has suffered greatly has been education where they are 8 ministers assigned some area connected to education – what little pittance they have done and we can but feel sad at the plight of Sri Lanka’s education as a result of their inactivity or lethargy of their roles.

It is best that voters today look upon the candidates of all parties and attempt to deduce who are best suited to enter parliament & who are capable of not just lip service atop grand stages.

The choice for the most suited to lead the country was facilitated by the recognition by the people that the incumbent President had after all delivered what he had promised and the country was ready to shower their gratitude.

The present general election should not be about ousting the present government but to ascertain whether the present government can be further strengthened by voting in better men and women to key portfolios. This is the task of the voter on 8th April and voting in a new set of individuals who are nationalist, who think of the country and are passionate about developing the country, its infrastructure, its economy and bettering the lifestyles of its people. This must be at the forefront of the voter when he/she goes to cast their vote – all it takes is to ask oneself – Can this man deliver?

- Asian Tribune -