Join hands to restore democracy - Patali Champika Ranawaka

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

Former Technology and Research Minister and Colombo District JHU parliamentarian Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday called upon those in the Opposition and Government to join hands irrespective of political differences to usher in good governance and restore democracy as a conducive environment has been created in the country following the resounding victory of President Maithripala Sirisena.

Electing Maithripala Sirisena as the President is a great victory achieved by the people. The vast majority of 88 percent Sinhala votes had contributed to his victory. In addition, the TNA and the SLMC had also attracted nearly 12 percent of votes for the President. Over 900,000 new votes had been added to the total number of votes obtained by the President, the MP told the Sunday Observer yesterday.

Actually, this was an all-island victory from North to South and West to East. Most people who voted against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa were educated and from the middle class. They needed a change desperately for good governance and democracy.

This has been now successful. We call upon all those supporting the SLFP and Ministers to usher in freedom and restore democracy, he said.

MP Ranawaka said that the educated people were fully aware that the blatant plunder of the national economy should be stopped forthwith. That is why they openly campaigned for President Maithripala Sirisena.

If the Government had spent over Rs.500 billion in the Gampaha district, the UPFA Presidential candidate had faced a historic defeat in that district.

During the campaign of the UPFA Presidential candidate, attempts were made to create a fear psychosis among the Sinhala people on Tiger phobia and separation and thought the people may vote for them. But the JHU is also in this joint Opposition.

We gave an assurance to the people that there would be no such thing. We will also assure again that the unitary character and the country’s national security would not be compromised. We will not tolerate any kind of separatism in the country, he said.

The new President would give top priority to amend the Constitution and curtail the powers of the Executive Presidency.

Steps will also be taken to set up Independent Commissions while ensuring the people’s right to information.