The choice is ours

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‘Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide, in the strife of truth with falsehood for the good or evil side’. 
This well-known hymn by James R. Lowell seems apt as we face another election. The choice seems quite clear to me and many others who recently signed a document to all party Leaders to choose candidates that are untainted by charges of corruption, rape, murder and other forms of violence. 
But it seems that only the United National Front for Good Governance has abided by these rules in their choice of candidates. On January 8 the country voted overwhelmingly against all these various forms of corruption, threw out a dictatorship and voted for a return to freedom, democracy, the rule of law and an independent judiciary.

It was a great relief to one and all to hear President Sirisena finally speak after nominations and state that his views and promises to the people when he was elected President remain unchanged. 
Many were perplexed, even angry that nomination had been given to one who had been rejected by the people after two terms as President. Several UNPers wanted to speak out against President Sirisena. 
They were told not to do so by Prime Minster Ranil Wickremesinghe, who had confidence in the President, his wiser counsel finally prevailed and prevented any verbal attacks. 
In the democratic world, one cannot even contest for a third time. It is a rare occurrence in world politics for one, who has been at the very top as President and been rejected to contest at a Parliamentary election. 
But the former President and his kith and kin have always played by their own set of rules in this and other things. Their attitude although unsaid has been to hell with anyone else. 



 

"The government headed by President Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe kept to their promises even in such a short space of time. The happy 100 days came like the joys of spring after a bleak cold winter of discontent, to a suffering people working hard to balance household budgets and keep the home fires burning."

To many it is a joke to hear words being spoken now about democracy, eradicating corruption, the rule of law and other measures promised to be taken. While reading through the Mahinda Chinthanaya, one finds that the majority of promises were not kept. In fact broken promises seemed to be a permanent feature of their rule.
On the other hand, the government headed by President Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe kept to their promises even in such a short space of time. The happy 100 days came like the joys of spring after a bleak cold winter of discontent, to a suffering people working hard to balance household budgets and keep the home fires burning. Salaries and pensions were increased as was the Samurdhi allowance. Nutritional foods were given in many areas to pregnant mothers, land returned in the North and the East to rightful owners. The Police was made a more people friendly force. Broken fences with other countries, which many thought of as beyond repair, were mended and the world has become our friend again. The cost of living was reduced with reductions in the prices of petrol, gas and rice. Other measures decided on to bring relief to the people were voted against by the Opposition and prevented as a result of their unpatriotic action. How can a responsible Opposition defeat measures which bring relief? Aren’t the people who voted them in more important than gaining power which they hoped would be theirs by these moves? People feel free once again with a return to democracy. People must realise that a return to the fatal legacy of a rejected dictatorship of the last regime would be disastrous for the country.

 

"But the former President and his kith and kin have always played by their own set of rules in this and other things. Their attitude although unsaid has been to hell with anyone else"

Across the political spectrum, there is great respect for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as a man of his word, of vision, integrity, a sense of history, and wide experience in governance. He is calm and controlled, has the self-control necessary in leadership. He never abuses people in bad language or uses physical force on people. The UNP has always kept its promises and always supported the belief that the democratic rights of the people must be upheld at all times.
The strong party unity of the United National Party as it stands today has improved the morale of its supporters, and given them hope and strength, once again after a long period of uncertainty.
This was evident at the convention, where Wickremesinghe promised vast changes for the greater good of the country. The priorities being the economy, a better deal for everyone, safety and protection for women and children and a Volkswagen factory in Kurunegala, which would produce cars costing around Rs 2 to 3 million, better housing for the middleclass and the masses, a world class heath servicew wand a world class education service are all included in his vision and plans for our country.  
The many abilities that the Prime Minister possesses are not only essential in a politician, but they make him a formidable force. His forte may not be kissing babies, which after all is unhealthy and a matter for parents, families and friends and not for a politician seeking votes!  We must vote wisely, choosing fulfilled promises, good governance, freedom, democracy, the rule of law and candidates of education and integrity. 
The choice is in our hands.