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| Sunday, 14 March 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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'An election politicians wanted, not the people
Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, National Director Social Communications says that the Catholic Church does not encourage any priests or religious to enter party politics but they could help the politicians to guide the destinies of the country. He also says that what the country needs today is a genuine leader. We had them in the past. We need a genuine leader to solve the ethnic problem. We need a sort of dictator to solve all our problems, he said in his interview with the "Sunday Observer". Excerpts of the Interview by E. Weeraperuma Question: There have been two General Elections from the year 2000 and Sri Lanka will go for elections for the third time on April 2, this year. Would you like to comment on this? Answer: Elections in general is a process whereby the people of this country exercise their right to elect a government of their choice. So having elections is in itself something we welcome for that gives the opportunity to people to give their consent. But in this country between elections many things happen like violence, attacks, deaths and destruction. It is not elections to cast your vote and elect whom you like. We are a country in the Third World. Holding elections so regularly though good in itself, where Sri Lanka is concerned as it is not elections but death and destruction, it is a waste of public money. Let us take the poster campaign. It is something illegal. But still they print. It is a violation of law and waste of money. Having so many elections is a waste of time and money and our country cannot afford that. If you justify having this type of elections as good, then you set a bad example. If the Executive Presidency continues, as the constitution has provisions, even if a government has a 2/3 majority in parliament, still he/she could dissolve the government. This is a serious threat to democracy. Question: Is this election, one, the people wanted? Answer: I do not think so. This is not an election the people of this country wanted. It is an election the politicians wanted. Our people are much more intelligent. They know well that it is a waste of time and money. Question: We hear that the political parties keep on nominating persons not acceptable to society despite the dislike of the people. Some of them have serious allegations against them. But the political parties enlist them as candidates. What is your comment? Answer: This is a very grave situation in our country. I have heard politicians say that it is up to the people to decide, select and vote. They pass the responsibility to the masses failing themselves to select the best. But it is very unfortunate the voters of this country have no choice. But if the political leaders are serious of what they do and they really mean working for the country, they should have the courage to enlist the best and those above suspicion. * If anyone is alleged to have been corrupt, such persons should not be given nominations. But this does not happen here. It is a very sad and serious situation. * To avoid corrupt persons coming into the political arena, the party should lay down guidelines and also stress on their qualifications. They need not have a formal education if they are of a good moral character. If they are acceptable to the electorate. They should be above suspicion. * The people first vote for the policy and when it is their choice to mark the preference, they have to elect someone whom they dislike. if the political leadership is genuine in giving the voter a choice, they should name people who could win the trust and confidence of the people. Anyway this is a distant dream. Question: Media reported that some "Devagathis" have entered politics to fight the general election. What do you say about priests and religious coming into active politics? Answer: In the Catholic Church there is no room for party politics and the Church does not encourage priests and religious entering the political arena. The group of "Devagathis" fighting elections this time are certainly not Catholics. I don't think they represent any of the other recognised denominations in the country. They may be from the fundamentalist groups. People look at the priests and religious for guidance. They revere them as authority on moral and dogma. They are accepted by the people as those who are not involved in narrow party politics. The politicians themselves go to them for advice and guidance. If priests and religious hold the position and guide others they should be above them. This gives all the opportunity to visit them without bias whenever they need guidance. The Church does not approve of priests and religious entering party politics. Question: But then we hear Catholic priests being in parliament in some countries..... Answer: There are very special cases. They are exceptions and very rare. Take Philippines. It is a Catholic Country. The Church as a whole supported the people against President Marcos. The Church was behind the " People's Power". But no priest was involved in party politics. But they guided the people. Question: Violence has become an integral part of political culture in this country. What would you suggest to remove this menace from politics in Sri Lanka. Answer: Empower the Police, maintain the rule of law to the spirit of the letter. Let the Police have freedom to work in accordance with the law. Let them be assured so far as they act within the tenets of the law, they will not be penalised. No one will take revenge over the change of the government for acting lawfully. They should be given that assurance they will be safe. With the Police Commission now in operation, the police should be asked to act without fear or favour. If that assurance is given the police will do their best. Implementation of the law is the only way to control violence. .......... But some of the policemen got into the police force through the influence of the politicians.? ........ Yes. Some of them have found employment through the help of the politicians. But now they work under a Police Commission. That is one of the best Institutions the Police can rely on. Our Police also should be educated about the provisions in the law to protect them. They could fight back for their rights if they are penalised for acting within the law. On the other hand party leaders should have the courage to control their men and women. They should advise the party men to avoid violence, thuggery and respect the law of the land. If the political leaders are unable to control their men and women what could the country expect from such leaders. The party leaders should not give nominations to those who are bent on thuggery, violence and corruption. As this is not happening the police should uphold the law above everything and maintain law and order. People on their part should reject the corrupt at elections. Question: Political parties were clamouring for an Independent Election Commission. But despite the Constitution Council being formed under the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, we are yet to see the birth of the Independent Election Commission. Your Comment. Answer: The country had lots of hope that we would go for elections with an Independent Election Commission in operation. But the Government was dissolved without any consideration. All Political parties in Parliament including the UNP and JVP in opposition supported the 17th amendment to the Constitution. The JVP fought tooth and nail for an independent Election Commission. But they also kept mum when the government was dissolved without appointing an Independent Election Commission. This is one form of corrupt politics in this country. Now that the entire burden is on the shoulders of Election Commissioner we trust that he will do his best using all powers given him through the Act of Parliament, even though there is no Independent Election Commission as expected by the people. Question: In the past the rice ration was the very popular political slogan. Today " Ethnicity" seems to have become the political slogan. Is that the true position? Answer: Politics is a business today. You sell the best commodity of the time. In the past it was the rice ration. Now the ethnic issue has become the best commodity. This has been the issue since 1983. We have yet to find a lasting solution and the politicians keep on playing on it at every election. The politicians are not genuine in this respect. We do not experience that genuineness in our politicians. The issue has become a very popular slogan to win the election. A stepping stone to power. You have to tell the country. I do not see a solution to the problem in party politics. We have suffered enough. If we want to rectify the situation we should get rid of corrupt politicians. In my view we need a genuine leader who will take interest in the well being of the country and the people. A sort of dictator we need to put the country back on track. A dictator who has the guts to take decisions and the ability to solve problems we face. Take Singapore for instance... it is because of the leadership of Lee Kwan Yew that Singapore is what it is today. But we do not have such leaders today. We had them in the past and they are no more. In Ranasinghe Premadasa we saw the qualities of a good leader but becoming the President of this country, that was lost. Question: There was a hue and cry asking the government to bring about laws to curb unethical conversions. Do you think that it is wise to enact laws to limit religious freedom. Answer: This is no solution to curb the "so-called unethical conversions". Adhering to a religion of one's choice is a fundamental right of the individual. And also where do we draw the line to say this is ethical and this is unethical. But what is necessary is to stress that no condition should be laid down when someone or group is socially helped. Laws should not prevent people exercising their fundamental rights. |
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