Strong lobby against family members entering PC polls

By L.S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

Nominations will not be given to family members of politicians at the forthcoming provincial council elections said Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary and Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena last week.

Sri Nimal Lakdusinghe	MP Kanaka Herath	Leel Gunasekera	J.M.U.B. Jayasekera

Young politicians, educationalists and former bureaucrats expressed their views to the Sunday Observer.Kegalle district MP, Kanaka Herath -

The SLFP General Secretary's proposal will help rural youth to engage in provincial politics.

On the other hand people prefer to elect politicians from family members especially PCs or Pradeshiya Sabhas considering the services rendered by the father, brother or uncle who is a sernior politician.

The newcomers have no future if they fail to follow their seniors. However, the fate of politicians depends on the vote of the people. Former civil servant Leel Gunasekara Cultural norms play an important role in the Sri Lankan society people respect the maturity and wisdom of senior citizens.

Some of our politicians sacrificed their wealth, for social service.

Their offspring followed their footsteps. They had been cultured and trained for the job.

If voters are enlightened to take the correct decision, democracy will be safe. Former National Museums Director Sri Nimal Lakdusingha

The move to deny nominations to politician's family members is excellent. It is in the interest of the country's development and the future of democracy.

Family members represent the Parliament, Provincial Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas against the fundamental principles of democracy.

Free flow of various ideas runs counter to fundamentals of democracy when they are in the law-making bodies they are probably not in a position to express their independent views.

For a long time, Sri Lanka has been concerned about the candidate's family in politics.

Stopping the practice of allowing family members of politicians coming to politics is long overdue.

The decision would be an important step to strengthen democracy.

Jayasekera Management Centre - JMC- Managing Director J.M.U.B. Jayasekera Nominations for PCs should be given only to suitable persons and politician's family members need not be included.

Knowledge and education should be the criteria for nominations. It is time for a new political system based on certain qualification.

Some family members take politics to amass wealth.

The village youth reach the highest rungs of the society thanks to the free education. Likewise why can't they reach the top of the political ladder. There is no necessity today to elect members of political families to the legislature.