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| Sunday, 11 April 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Elections 2004 - People's opinion : New faces, high expectations Creating an environment of peace sans violence and corruption seems to be the expectation of the people from the new government elected. Regardless of what party is in power, what we want is a peaceful environment to live in with low cost of living, is the sentiment echoed by most people whom the Sunday Observer talked to in the city streets regarding the outcome of the election. Change in the political culture, the uncivilised behaviour of the politicians within the parliament and forgetting the election manifestos once elected to power were some recurrent themes highlighted by city dwellers and commuters from suburbs and rural areas. The Sunday Observer asked the following three questions: (1) Are you happy with the outcome of the election? (2) What do you expect from the new faces in the parliament - new to wield power and new to the parliament? (3) The election brought two extremist parties (Jathika Hela Urumaya and the Tamil National Alliance) into parliament. How do you think this would affect the government? by VIMUKTHI FERNANDO M. S. M. Shan, Shop assistant from the World Market Complex was of the opinion that the outcome was good. "It is always good that no party gets absolute majority. It was also encouraging since it was a very peaceful election. I am also happy that a person who is deserving, one who had done so much for so long for the SLFP was appointed the Prime Minister. All the new faces in the parliament - the JVP in their ministerial roles and the monks as MPs won these positions because people trusted their word that they would bring about change and serve the masses honestly and impartially. And our expectation is that they would keep to their word. While it is encouraging to have monks in the parliament, we trust that the JVP will propel others towards the right path. The extremist representation in the parliament is an encouraging sign towards a peaceful and political settlement of their woes". H. A. N. Nishantha, Three-wheeler driver at Fort, was happy that the party he supported won the elections. "The general public cannot be fooled any more. We want the elections to be peaceful and non-violent. People have given their verdict for the party they trust. The preferential votes say it all. And as a new party with power in their hands we trust that the JVP will prove that they are in ministerial positions to serve the people a
nd not for mere coveting of power. We expect them to ease the burden of the masses, to develop the country without privatising and selling it to the rich. About TNA and JHU, the monks have given their word that they would not merge with any mainline party. And of the TNA we do not know yet. However, I am sure that the peace proposals of the Alliance would be acceptable to the JHU and would usher in peace to the country." Cynthia Silva, Housewife from Kandana seemed weary of the outcome of the elections. "There is no difference in the situation whichever the party in power. So, what is the point?" she questioned. However, she was hopeful that the new faces in parliament would bring in changes within the parliament as well as outside. "Perhaps, the presence of the Maha Sangha would curb the unruly behaviour in the parliament and the ministerial positions of the JVP would eradicate the numerous strikes and control violence and corruption. It is good to have both JHU and TNA in parliament but we hope they would not be an obstacle for peace, by protesting moves to help each others' community." M. R. Chandanie, Cashier from Beliatta was happy about the fact that the election was peaceful. "I could not vote this time. I stayed in Colombo due to work. However, it was a fair election which brought good results. What we expect from the new government is to bring down the cost of living and to bring about peace. And we expect the JVP to keep to their manifesto for which people have given them the mandate. Representation in parliament is a good opportunity for both JHU and TNA to peacefully iron out their differences and bring about peace. I think people have elected them to parliament to carry out the very task of bringing about peace." Kamal Perera, Proprietor of a clothes shop in Pettah was of the opinion that the change of main parties is the habitual rejection of the ruling party by the voters. "It is the result of the flawed rule which did not look into the needs of the masses and provided facilities for the rich without thinking of the poor. Also, the biased and treacherous means by which they carried out their deeds wielding political influence and violating human rights. We trust the new faces to bring in equality and impartiality into the country. Also we expect that there would be a stop to unwarranted strikes, boycotts and all such activities of opposition. If what is rightful and fair is meted out to every community there won't be an opportunity for warring factions. I trust both the JHU and TNA to support such action." Kumari from Dehiwela, Proprietor of a clothing business vehemently opposed the outcome of the elections. She insisted that she does not want to be photographed. "It is a mandate of a people who had forgotten the past. The fear and terror created by the JVP. We have lost all our business and were reduced to nothing during the 1980s by the JVP. I do not have great expectations from the new faces. How do those who survived by violence and terror get rid of them? It is good if an agricultural economy and the local industry is resurrected. But the question is whether it is appropriate in the present context. The JHU of course is elected with the mandate as protectors of race, religion and culture. It would be good at least if they could bring about some civility to the uncultured behaviour in the parliament. As for the TNA in power with LTTE backing I think it paves way for the LTTE to come into mainstream politics. I think it would help them earn trust and become more powerful just as the JVP did." Manel Madawala from Kalapuraya, involved in the business of creative sewing said that the result was not expected by the community engaged in the handicraft industry. "It is good that a party which promoted local industries is in power. What we expect from the new faces is to uphold their integrity and not to droop to the level of their predecessors. We hope that they will have enough wisdom to build on the good of the previous governments and to totally reject corrupt and unethical activities. We also expect the Maha Sangha to uphold the ethics of priesthood and act as watchdogs for the benefit of the masses. In the same way, we hope that they would support the peace effort and would not be the cause of another rift in the prevailing peace." Eliathamby Gnanapragasam, a retired teacher from Vavuniya was fearing for the prevailing peace. "There are a lot of extremist factions in power. Politicians can say something today and do the exact opposite tomorrow. We cannot trust them. The JVP so far, though they have some rigidity with regard to the Tamil community had shown competence. The country would be grateful to them if they de-politicise this extremely politicised establishment, especially the public sector. Of the JHU and the LTTE backed TNA, it is good that both sides are represented to voice their concerns. But, I would not be surprised if the extremist factions oppose every move to help the Tamil community." Dushyanthi Daniel, Administration executive, from Kandy was not very enthusiastic about the outcome, but hoped that the new faces will bring in a welcome change to the prevailing political culture. "The elections devoid of curfew and of almost no post election violence is very encouraging. And I hope this trend will continue. What we expect from the new faces is to stick to their manifesto and hope that the presence of monks will at least lead the rest of them to control their unruly behaviour. It is good that both the extreme Sinhala Buddhist factions and Tamil nationalist factions are represented in parliament to give voice to their concerns. It would be good if they would listen to each other, understand the concerns and resolve problems within the parliament. But, if they start opposing each other it would be disaster for the prevailing peace process in this country." |
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