We have a new Parliament with familiar and unfamiliar faces. The Youth Observer spoke to people who are influential and work with youth, to find out what is expected of those elected and what change is most needed for a better Sri Lanka.
Dumal Warnakulasuriya
Q: What does the current Parliament need and why?
The current Parliament needs those who can walk the talk, not just talk. Those who take a global approach, and are aware of what is happening globally. Without having such attributes, it is difficult to hold office, it would be great to have some youngsters, with experience and knowledge.
I feel we have many potential young people who should be encouraged to come forward.
Q: What changes should the Parliament make to keep up with modern times?
We need more youngsters to bring in change. First and foremost, they should be aware of what’s happening globally and accordingly work towards achieving it.The system should be sorted, and rearranging the system will take generations. To do this, we need young, tough, dedicated and forceful parliamentarians.
Q: On what and how should the newly elected parliamentarians focus on the development of the country?
This country should use talented, hardworking, smart working and competent people. People of this calibre should be put forward and promoted. Unfortunately, it’s who you know, and not how you work and what you know.
We must encourage our local produce, and promote our innovators. We must use local produce, and its possible that we have done it before. It’s about giving support.
Q: Which government organisations do you think should do more work for the betterment of the country?
Every government organisation has responsibilities and the organisation must carry out its work. It’s wrong to say this organisation should work, and others should not.
Every organisation should work. The work starts now, especially after the Covid-19 outbreak and the election, there is a lot to be done.
These organisations have all the facilities, and I am sure with all the benefits they can carry out the work.
Farida Lukmanjee
CSR Consultant for corporates
Q: Are you happy with those elected to Parliament?
Yes, whoever has been elected will do justice to all the promises they have made. This is what I feel at the moment, but let’s wait and see. I hope that the future holds something tangible for Sri Lanka because a lot depends on what is happening right now and that will shape the future. I have confidence in the elected, they will deliver what they have promised.
Q: What does the current Parliament need and why?
The current Parliament needs more representation from women. Women, beside a certain fraction there isn’t a proper number in the Parliament and this has to change. The sooner the change, the better it will be for the future, as it will encourage young and dynamic women to enter politics.
I feel issues concerning women and children aren’t raised enough in Parliament, and this is only done when there is more representation. I hope the currently elected women will voice the concern for women and children.
Q: What changes should the Parliament make to keep up with modern times?
Sri Lanka is good, with the benefits of health and education. It can get better if it can be more diversified, through more diverse representation in Parliament. Changes will take place, but it will take time.
More young people are needed in Parliament who will talk about various issues, without just sticking to normal discussions. Maybe future generations can benefit from the changes to come. Parliament should consider giving the spouses of Sri Lankan citizens married to foreign passport holders working rights in Sri Lanka.
Q: How should the newly elected parliamentarians focus on the development of the country?
They should think about the country before their personal agendas. I hope they don’t have any agendas.
Right now the country needs them to work, as a country we are recovering and the road to recovery must be a proper path for the future.
Q: Which government organisations do you feel should do more work for the betterment of the country?
I feel the education system, should offer a wider approach and help students at an early age to identify their potential. The Ministry concerned with this should focus on reaching out to students from all parts of the country. Sports is another aspect that we should look into, and we need more youngsters taking up sports and representing the country.
Naz Fernando
Founder, The Beauty Quest, image consultant, aspiring app developer, techie, painter
Q: Are you happy with those elected to Parliament?
I got to know that there are a few new faces, which is something good to be happy about. At the same time, there are a lot of professionals which is very positive. The quality has improved rather than the quantity.
Q: What does the current Parliament need and why?
Holistically better public policies, a people-friendly Parliament and more approachable kind of perspective.
It should be where people can directly benefit rather than waiting in a line.
It should be a politician citizen-friendly relationship. Encourage more policies for women and minorities to do business.
When empowering women, it’s like empowering a nation.
The live telecast was a very positive side, it should be done more often and more scholars should be invited to the gallery.
Q: What changes should the Parliament make to keep up with modern times?
More young people should be in Parliament to modernise it, youngsters who implement sustainable living, and who will create youth-friendly policies. All this will attribute to modern thinking and progress.
Q: On what and how should the newly elected parliamentarians focus on the development of the country?
To have investor-friendly policies, which will create more jobs. Taxes concessions for foreign investors, and transparency in terms of investing. Increase institutions for women, so we can be a hardworking country like Japan. Both men and women should contribute equally to the development of this country.
Q: Which government organisations do you feel should do more work for the betterment of the country?
Government organisations which work for the environment and child welfare. There a lot of issues related to these aspects as a blind eye is always turned. I feel both Ministries related to these subjects have been very relaxed about these aspects, all factors concerning these issues have faced unimaginable damage, and it high time ministers and officials take charge of matters.
Joel Outschoorn
News Presenter, Emcee, show host, digital marketer, loves cooking
Q: Are you happy with those elected to Parliament?
This election for me is significant and historic for many reasons, I have hope that those elected to power will uphold the promises made.
Q: What does the current Parliament need and why?
The current Parliament requires a firm disciplinary code, the Parliament needs to set an example and make sure they act responsibly and not irresponsibly. The Parliament could even uplift or tarnish the name of our motherland is the eyes of the international viewer. Therefore, it is a must that those who act against the disciplinary code be expelled or terminated from the relevant post he/ she holds.
Q: What changes should the Parliament make to keep up with modern times?
The Parliament should learn to reach out and make the people of this country the centre of all decisions. Hearken to the people and not live on broken promises.
Q: On what and how should the newly elected parliamentarians focus on the development of the country?
It is vital that they should focus on completing the half-baked projects, there are millions of money dumped for projects in the country but today due to change in governments and no proper feasibility studies being done, we see many such projects lying around.While talking of development towards infrastructure, let’s hope all parties keep to the promises they made during their election propaganda. Clean drinking water, human-elephant conflict are just a few to be resolved and put a smile on the faces of the tormented people of this nation.
Q: Which government organisations do you feel should do more work for the betterment of the country?
It is not about who or which government organisation should to more work. Each and every government organisation is equally responsible and are stakeholders to fulfill the duties and responsibilities towards the people of this nation. We can only develop this nation if we all unite and come together to strive towards one common objective.
Treshan Weerasooriya Pereira
Accountant, aspiring hotelier, fashion lover, home interiors lover
Q: Are you happy with those elected to Parliament?
Well, I could say that I am happier than before. Like any other civilian, I have a lot of faith in the newly elected President and I have a feeling that he wouldn’t let our beloved motherland or its people down.
Q: What does the current Parliament need and why?
I would say clear direction for starters. Everyone is scattered and moonlighting on their own agenda rather than the country’s as they should! However, the newly elected Parliament seems rather promising and we are all hoping for a system that is free from nepotism, clanism and cronyism, which are forward-looking and would tirelessly commit to ensuring that the country and its people would flourish as a whole.
Q: What changes should the Parliament make to keep up with modern times?
I believe that members of Parliament should be more open-minded and forward-looking as the world is as such we cannot be holding on to archaic ways of executing whatsoever that is needed to. That is how the entire world operates. Should do more of listening than trying to instill their own ideas in people and as a nation, we sure can go to great heights!
Q: On what and how should the newly elected parliamentarians focus on the development of the country?
A visionary is what we need to drive the entire nation! Systematic planning and strategising would ensure a smooth outcome. But like any plan, there would be obstacles along the way. As I mentioned above you have to have an open mind and look at these with a futuristic eye rather than merely focusing on the present. Contingency plans and timeliness is, of course, a must!
Q: Which government organisations do you feel should do more work for the betterment of the country?
The Ministry of Agriculture to focus on the country being self-sufficient. Ministry of Archeology to highlight our heritage of over 2,500 years and work towards preserving our national archaeological sites which are heavily neglected. The Ministry of Tourism to highlight the essence of Sri Lanka, our people and their hospitality together with all of what come along with the phenomenon to better promote Sri Lanka.