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The electoral system is one vital aspect of the reforms process. Yet,
even after sixty years since Independence and seventy five years since
the grant of universal franchise, democracy has totally failed in our
country most significantly under the prevailing electoral system - a
legacy bequeathed by the JR Constitution of 1978.
Under the existing system, today, the old order has completely
changed yielding place to a new generation of Parliamentarians. The 1978
Constitution which introduced the proportional representation system
giving representation to minor parties, provincial parties and
mainstream political organisations, has resulted in taking away the
fundamental right of the voter to be connected to his elected
representative of his electorate from his area of residence.
It has resulted in producing a set of MPs who derived their existence
to the voter, but whose allegiance was to the party elected to Office.
Also the prevalent preferential voting system or more popularly known as
`manape' in vernacular, favours those candidates with relatively large
pecuniary resources and who are able to canvass in a large electorate,
district wise. Also with the open economy under the new Constitution,
the situation has even become worse. It has reached a stage what people
need is money, money and nothing else by hook or by crook over-riding
all social norms and ethics.
Thereby it has become extremely impossible to find out a voter who
has the interest of the country or the nation at heart when he casts his
sacred vote for an individual of his choice during election times.
Because of this existing system in the electoral process, our country
has lost several selfless workers who had done great services to their
electorates during the electoral system hitherto followed. This new
trend in the electoral process has given rise to intra-party rivalry
thereby creating a condign ground for corruption, bribery and other
anti-social malpractice reducing the sacred right of the franchise to a
mere article of trade.
Also on the demise or resignation of particular MP, the earlier
practice was to hold a bye-election and fill the vacancy, whereas today
this right has been denied to the voter. Ironically enough, the next
best loser in the list is appointed in replacement of the people's
representative. Also the bonus seats accommodation to the winning party
utterly violates the very purpose of proportional representation.
Where nominations are concerned, we have often observed that party
considerations override all other consideration unlike the time of
gentleman-politics of the bye-gone era, when nominations were allowed to
persons in the party with integrity of character, social standard,
education, honesty and selflessness and those having a clean police
record commanding respect in his electorate. But, today how many of such
underworld thugs, drug peddlers, rapists, political conspirators,
kassippu vendors have infiltrated into the political stream and brought
disrepute to the sovereignty of the prestigious institution - the
Parliament? How could we expect these gentleman-rascals to take part in
legislative deliberations and pass laws for the welfare of our society?
These words of Mahathma Gandhi aptly sum up this fact - "Knowledge
without character is power for evil only as seen in the instances of
many talented thieves and gentleman - Rascals in the world everywhere".
An analysis of Parliamentary history under the existing electoral
system, reveals that it has not been possible for any party to obtain a
2/3 majority vote in the House to bring about any progressive
constitutional reforms owing to the present electoral system, despite
the fact such party in power has an indisputable mandate for such
changes.
This situation throws sufficient light to the inherent unsuitability
of the existing electoral system.
Therefore, the critical question that must be posed and answered is -
What electoral system would suit best to serve the needs of democracy?
Hence it is most opportune for all political leaders to discuss at
length whether to revert back to the old first - past - the - post
system or to devise a better system of electoral process that would suit
the needs and cater to the aspirations of all Sri Lankans and also
adopting a system that would possibly enable a winning party to obtain a
2/3 majority to push through urgent national issues and important
progressive reforms and also making provision for minor political
parties to have representation in Parliament.
In this backdrop, it is high time all our people's representatives
with genuine commitment to the democratic ideals give serious concern to
evolve a better system of elections that would eliminate all possible
malpractices in the existing electoral process.
This would be the only way out of this political tragedy.
Don Sarath Abeysekera, Bandarawela
Today, the world is at the mercy of a different kind of terrorist -
the OPEC countries. They mercilessly hold the world to ransom, and
especially the developing countries suffer due to the high price of
fuel. The oil producing countries adopt various means to keep the oil
prices high cutting down production is one device.
They have no concern for the plight of developing countries.
Today world oil prices have plummeted to unexpected levels. This may
not last long. If the world's dependence on oil can be avoided, it would
be a great boon to all countries. These countries then can extricate
themselves from the vice-like grip of OPEC.Sudath Sunimal Perera, youth
from Kalutara, according to newspaper reports, has found the answer.
He claims he has developed a device capable of generating power that
can be harnessed to operate vehicles such as cars, trains and even
ships. Sudath says his device is a kind of a motor generated by a
specific kind of magnet termed neodymium. He says that it causes no
environmental hazard at all.
If the Minister concerned takes meaningful steps to help the young
inventor it would be a great boon to the country.
D.M. Victor E. Peiris, Kalamulla
Although an enhanced duty on vegetable oil is being imposed to allow
the Farm gate price of coconut to go up, it would appear the impact is
more or less negligible due to excessive quantity of vegetable oil
currently available in the market and in storage tanks.
In fact, at the auction held on December 18, the average price had
gone up only to Rs. 16.67 per nut from the previous price of Rs. 15.83.
It is therefore, suggested that a temporary ban on the import of edible
oil is necessary at least till 31st March 09, until such time, an
average Farm gate price of Rs. 22 per nut is achieved. I hereby appeal
to the authorities concerned to implement the above proposals.
J. V. R. Dias Wattala
Is there any doubt that "Ceylon Tea" as it was called and known as
the best in the world "In terms of quality". Is there any doubt that
this country was producing the tea which was in the highest demand? Is
there any doubt that the tea produced in this country is second to any
other tea processing country? It is the most demanded health beverage in
the world today is the day for the answer.
In recent times, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce where the weekly tea
auction saw low demand of tea as the tea buyers refrained on the basis
that there is a economic crisis and low world demand. However the Tea
Board intervened and stopped this deadlock which virtually observed the
lowest demand for tea in the recent times initially in October, 2008.
When this situation began except for the Private Factory Owners'
Association and the Federation of the Tea Smallholder Development
Society and Tea Smallholder Development Authority the rest were silent.
However by end October, 2008, the Tea Board took steps to neutralize
this situation as they decided to bid at the weekly auction and banned
private selling out a lot sale to prevent any detrimental effects to
producers. Surprisingly it was only after the 2nd week of November 2008
that the Tea Traders' Association voiced their opinion through media as
apparently the traders were engaged in filling up their warehouses
buying the tea that were going a begging , but deserved a worthy prize
for the sweat and toil of whoever contributed to produce this beverage.
Isn't this "Making hay while the sunshine"? Whislt the Government and
brave soldiers are sparing no means effort to resolve the Northern
problem, why were the relevant authorities and forums in the tea trade
such as the Export Development Board, Ministry of International Trade,
Tea Promotion Bureau silent about what's going on? After all it is the
economy of our motherland which is going to be affected! I hope that the
producer would not have to seek avenues to do direct overseas sales.
A. Seneviratne, Galle
The residents living down 3rd Lane, Ernest Place, Laxapathiya,
Moratuwa are faced with a major problem due to improper planning on the
part of authorities responsible for Lunawa Ela Project. Whilst
appreciating the fact that the proposed Ela Project will do a lot of
good to the Town of Moratuwa, by having a good drainage system and
improved roads, it is a pity that the authorities have failed to look at
some important areas when they did their ground work. Third Lane
comprises about 15 houses built under the name of Moratuwa Housing
Scheme, which is a highly respectable and a residential compound.
Down 3rd Lane, Ernest Place, there was an old drain built by the
Moratuwa Municipal Council more than 10 years ago. Under this new
project, the Lunawa Ela Project Authorities have built another drain on
the other side of the road, covering only a part of the road. These two
drains fall into a two feet wide drain which has not been attended at
all by the Moratuwa Municipal Council nor by this project which connects
to the Lunawa canal. As a result of building the new drain, in a part of
the road where there is a bend, the road has been narrowed to less than
10 feet.
The problem here is that water flowing from both Ernest Place and
Laxapathiya Road come down the two drains and there is a major bottle
neck in the middle of 3rd Lane due to this neglected existing drain.
With the slightest amount of rain 3rd Lane gets flooded, and people face
heavy of flooding during a heavy shower. When checked with the
authorities of the Ela Project, it had been confirmed that it was not in
their plan to do any work on this old drain.
The worried residents request the authorities to attend to the
following as soon as possible:
1. Rebuild the old drain built by Moratuwa Municipal Council
2. The drain connecting point down the lane, to be cleared and
re-built
3. Attend to the drain connecting the two drains to Lunawa canal
4. Lay concrete slabs on part of the drain in the narrow bend
5. Have drains down the balance part of 3rd Lane as well
Delays could be costly, as in addition to the flooding, mosquito
menace will also be a major problem due to still water being collected
in most areas. The residents expect prompt attention of authorities in
charge of the Lunawa Ela Project, towards this most important matter.
Errol Fernando, 58/3, Ernest Place, Laxapathiya, Moratuwa.
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