|
|
|
| Sunday, 31 July 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Editorial |  |
| News Business Features Security
|
Please forward your comments to the
Editor, Sunday Observer. E-mail: [email protected] Snail mail : Sunday Observer, 35, D.R.Wijewardana Mawatha, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Telephone : 94 11 2429239 / 2331181 Fax : 94 11 2429230 A wise choice The SLFP has made a wise decision in selecting the Prime Minister as its Presidential candidate. There is no doubt that he has the highest public support among all SLFP leaders barring the President. This was revealed at the last General Elections where he topped the preferential votes. Secondly he has been the most steadfast in loyalty to the party. Throughout all turbulent periods and inner party commotions he has been a faithful party man without aspiring for positions from rival factions on personal ambition. Thirdly, he has been and is a common man's leader. Neither office nor power has diminished his common touch. Even as Minister of Labour he did not hide his sympathies with the working people and its struggles. 'I am not a representative of capital but of labour', he said assuming that august responsibility. The mandate of the 2004 General Election was for a new pro-poor policy orientation. As in India a few months earlier it was a grassroots revolt against the hitherto followed liberal economic policies. That Mahinda Rajapakse is more familiar with this new terrain is no secret. Carrying forward the Rata perata (Country forward) program would be a daunting task for any future President. That he is more adept in the task than his competitors is also well known. By announcing its Presidential candidate the SLFP has thwarted attempts by Opposition forces to sow discord within the SLFP and the Government. Their mean attempts to put the Bandaranaike family against the rest in the SLFP did not bear fruit. By choosing a candidate outside the Bandaranaike family the SLFP has proved that it is not a party dogmatically clinging on to a dynastic rule. In actual fact the succession of Bandaranaike's in its leadership was a coincidence of history when they emerged as popular leaders fulfilling the tasks thrust upon them by the times they lived. It must be remembered that no family could force its leadership on the masses except in a monarchy. Further, a victory of the SLFP at the next Presidential poll would signify the transfer of power from the elite to more plebian social strata, signalling an advance in the democratic system. The SLFP by naming its Prime Ministerial nominee even though a General Election is not imminent has ensured a formidable leadership combination in governance in the post-Chandrika era, thus laying a strong foundation for party unity and stability. Choosing the Presidential and Prime Ministerial nominees is only the beginning. Leadership nominations have to be followed by strong policy formulations that could take them to victory at the forthcoming elections. These aspirants to the highest offices in the country have daunting challenges to face. They must put forward solutions to the issues of the day. First and foremost among them is the need to arrive at an honourable peace in which all communities could live in harmony and equal dignity. Hence, it would not be advisable to dodge the peace issue or sweep P-TOMS under the carpet during the period of the elections. Equally challenging are the economic and social problems facing the people. With the escalating cost of oil and resulting price increases across the board the need for the maintenance of a safety net for the poor would be overwhelming. Urgent solutions have to be sought for the energy crisis and unemployment. One has also to ensure rapid economic development and an equitable distribution system of the fruits of development. These national issues could receive central focusing only if personal, sectarian and narrow parochial issues are put aside and if one does not fall prey to machinations by interested parties to keep the dialogue fixed on irrelevant or unimportant fringe issues. State terror The "suspected suicide bomber" who was killed by the London police a few days ago at an underground rail station was later found to be an innocent young man. He was a Brazilian electrician named Jean Charles de Menezes (27) who was living and working in London for four years. The London police have expressed "regret" but justified the killing on the grounds of the "prevailing situation". Brazilian Government has expressed its shock and asked Britain to explain the circumstances in which he was killed. This is nothing but an open licence to the police to "shoot to kill" on mere suspicion. What else is this if not state terorism? The state cannot use terrorism to fight terrorism. Much more refined and humane methods have to be sought. Terrorism is a socio-political problem and has to be addressed as such. Terror would only intensify terror. If other governments too follow the British precedent that would signal the death knell of democracy. |
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security | Produced by Lake House |
