Ad hoc ratios and bonus seats for PC Elections...Why?
It is reported in the press that the Delimitation Commission has proposed to introduce 50:50 ratio and increase the number of bonus seats to tide over the issues of stability and minority representation in the Provincial Councils.
Let me briefly deal with the said issues which unfortunately seem to be still entrenched in the minds of some of our leading politicians, political pundits, academics and civil activists.
This parochial concept founded on maintaining an absolute majority in the Council for all purposes is not in keeping with the principles of a liberal democracy where all parties should contribute to arrive at the best solution favouring the Council/country after a healthy debate.
Maintaining an absolute majority will in fact lead to misguided, dictatorial decisions. ‘Hung’ or ‘unstable’ Councils/Parliament should become misnomers when professionals with country at heart, deliberate and decide on the best fine-tuned options for the Council/Parliament/Country.
In our view, at any level of elections, all votes should be considered as cast by ‘Sri-Lankans’ giving equal value to every valid vote. Only this concept can iron out the elusive issue of voting based on ethnicity, religion, caste etc.
The application of proportionate arithmetic in a ‘cut and dry’ scientific manner, to determine the number of seats won in a District by each party, will ensure an ‘equal value’ for each Sri Lankan vote in a District.
Why should a feeling of ‘minority’ make a section of the citizenry downgrade themselves and beg for preferential treatment on the one hand and why should the ‘majority’ feel good by giving preferential treatment to their fellow citizens on the other? It is unfortunate that we are still not ready to think as ‘Sri Lankans’ having equal rights and duties.
If we perpetuate this parochial ‘Majority and Minority’ syndrome, with the proposed changes, our country will never ever come out of this abysmal ethnic conflict.
The delimitation exercise should take all variables into account and generate the pre-determined number of seats allocated to each District and dispense with the application of post- election measures such as, adhoc ratios and bonus seats, not scientifically founded on empirical evidence and research, to strike a balance in a liberal democratic process of exercising voter franchise.
As stated above, the electoral process can surely catalyze this elusive and seemingly difficult paradigm shift towards a cultural and attitudinal change of treating all citizens as ‘SRI LANKANS’.
Bernard Fernando
Moratuwa
Coconuts, at what price?
There were many dansalas throughout the country during the recent Poson, a meritorious act indeed. People did enjoy and appreciated the efforts of the dansala organizers. But there was this novel dansala of the Tambili and Kurumba organised by the Principal of Mahasen Maha Vidyalaya on the Puttalam Anuradhapura Road. Surely, there could have been other ways of conducting the dansala. Even a beggar conducted a fruit juice dansala! Perhaps, it is due to acts like this and the cutting down of coconut trees for mega buildings that result in the ordinary citizen having to pay an exorbitant price for the coconuts! The basic meal of the rural masses of the country is rice, Parippu, Pol-Sambol and a piece of Karawala. These must be made available at a reasonable price. The coconut plays a very important part in the lives of Sri Lankans and these Kurumbas of the dansala could have all become coconuts and a price retained. The learned should seriously think before organizing an event like this! There are so many other avenues to quench the thirst of these masses. So let one think well before getting down to action.
It is proposed all dansalas to come under the jurisdiction of the Health Officer of the area and a permit issued for the items for the dansala.
At one time Sri Lanka exported coconuts but now Sri Lanka is importing coconuts! The Government must take strong action against the destruction of coconut lands.
Kingsley Durairaj
Pannipitiya
Good-Governance for the general good of a multiracial society
To the political rivals of Good-Governance, do not give evasive answers for the corrupt practices and wrongdoing during the previous regime.
The rulers of the previous regime didn’t pay a modicum of attention even to the protection of the basic rights of democracy. They never thought that ‘Freedom of Speech’ is one of the basic ideals of democracy; and that editors, journalists and the newspapers are the guardians and the lifeline of democracy. The faithfulness in the role of correspondents and the quality of their contribution in articles, news items and cartoons to the newspapers go a long way in the success of a newspaper.
Though cartoons are a source of enjoyment, they have a deep meaning engendered in them. They’re based on morality, purity of expression, and sharpness in launching attacks to penetrate through the heart and mind of dishonest politicians. There is much philosophy depicted in them. The newspaper men should adhere to honesty and sincerity when relaying valuable information.
Novelty, accuracy, purity and clarity are the essential elements that are needed along with the flowery language, to become a successful journalist.
These journalist should involve in teaching democratic ideals like love for the motherland and devotion to national unity and integrity. Work is worship, its motto is service to society. It is necessary that politicians of today should be humble in thought, word and deed and tolerant of the view points of others.
They should have the courage to speak the truth, practise non-violence, good-conduct and respect all religious faiths. Ignorance of these factors made politicians of the previous regime and their henchmen to involve in ignoble activities. Let not dictators embrace this beautiful island thrice visited by the Buddha.
Let not murder, rape, indiscipline, corruption, be repeated under the mask of Presidentship. Murder in the sports field and taking the lives of learned journalists, cartoonists and editors were the fabulous sports of the rulers of the previous regime. Let a government under ‘Good Governance be formed again in 2020.
Dharma Kaviraj