Opinion

A lesson for communal elements

20 Aug 2015 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The eighth Parliamentary Election took place peacefully without any serious election law violation. In this regard the Elections Commissioner and the Inspector General of Police must be congratulated and felicitated.

But how was it possible?

During previous elections owing to the illegal and unwanted interference of the ruling party or the President, the corruption, violence and election-malpractices were rampant.

State machinery and resources were abused. The Elections Commissioner and the Police were not allowed to exercise their powers independently. The Elections Commissioner was forced to do certain things against his free will.

That is past. The incumbent President and the Prime Minister allowed a free hand to the Elections Commissioner and the IGP and as a result there was a peaceful election.

In this process democracy is upheld. And there is peace even after the election. People are contended with the election.

Prime Minister Ranil has obtained the highest preferential votes of over 500,000 in Colombo owing mainly to his honesty, integrity and introducing the concept of Yahapalanaya and a good future for Sri Lanka.

People expected a better turnover for the United National Front and a defeat for the UPFA. But the UPFA fared well and garnered 95 seats, which none expected.

This is partly because of Ranil. In fact, in my opinion if Sajith Premadasa was given the opportunity to lead the UNP for the purpose of election campaigning, he would have cut a figure bringing further defeat to the UFPA at the election. The UPFA gained due to Ranil’s weakness.

The JVP also should have performed well but the voters have failed to consider its role in bringing the Yahapalanaya following the recent Presidential Election. At a time when there is a good future for Sri Lanka, its role with more members in Parliament would be conducive for good governance.

The election has also given a death blow to racism and communalism. Buddhist Monks of the BJP (Bodu Bala Sena ) has learnt a bitter lesson. It is noteworthy that no single Buddhist Monk who contested has been elected to Parliament. The voters have voted wisely. In fact several leading eminent Buddhist Monks appealed against Monks participating in politics,

This election by the defeat of prominent former ministers and senior Parliamentarians has given a lesson to those who are not steady, wavering and changing parties and principles.

Over 100 Civil Movements with Rev. Sobitha Thera campaigned for good governance and to reject nomination of those against whom allegations of corruption, malpractice or criminal charges were present.

PAFFREL with its March 12 Declaration signed by all leading political parties to refrain from giving nominations appealed to voters to refrain from voting in such candidates.

Has this worked? No. Even a candidate whose nomination was signed in jail has been returned. In this regard people have not voted wisely, as several other bad elements have come in.

In appointing Ministers and Deputy Ministers care should be taken to refrain from appointing such people they have entered parliament. It is good if the number be restricted to that spoken to Twenty-Five Ministers.

Minority groups have voted for Ranil and there is a polarisation, when one considers the performance of the UPFA – the Sinhala and minority votes.
The extreme communal elements be it Sinhala, Muslim or Tamil, have learnt a lesson at this election.

I wish the new government prayerfully for success and may Allah bless this country and the Yahapalanaya

The Council of Muslims of Sri Lanka was founded by respected leaders like Sir Razik Fareed, Dr. Badiudin Mahmud, Dr. M.C.M. Kaleel, A. Azeez, Sir A.W.M. Ameer and several others .hitherto , has given proper directions to Muslims of Sri Lanka since inception.

Opinion

A lesson for communal elements

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