Janasetha Peramuna, pioneers of ‘Gentleman Politics in Sri Lanka’ in the fray to enter Parliament
The Janasetha Peramuna with a vision for the future and ensuring that all communities irrespective of caste, creed and ethnicity, enjoy the right to live in an undivided country, Sri Lanka, invite all to rally under the banner Ekama Handak – Ekama Ratak.
The party led by Ven. Battaramulle Seelarathana Thera, is now in its 11th year in the political arena. It has no bias of any kind; accept and respect all those who genuinely claim this country as their country. The Janasetha Peramuna has fielded candidates to contest all 22 districts at the forthcoming General Election due on August 5, 2020.
With the announcement of the General Election, 2020, the Janasetha Peramuna was one of the first parties to submit their list of candidates contesting the Jaffana District. Party leader Ven.
Battaramulle Seelarathana Thera was present at the handing over of the nomination papers at the Jaffna District Elections Commission Office. The Party, Janasetha Peramuna with the ‘tractor’ as the party symbol was formed on June 22, 2009. Claiming to be the ‘Pioneers of Gentleman Politics in Sri Lanka’, the Party had managed to have three of its members to be the voice of the masses in some local bodies. So far, the Party has had no member elected to Parliament although the Party had contested the Parliamentary elections held earlier.
The Sunday Observer spoke to the Ven. Thera.
Q. Are you contesting this time?
A. Yes, I am contesting from Gampaha district,Western Province
Q. We understand that your party is contesting all districts. Is this true ?
A. Yes, we have given our lists of nominations to contest the General Election in all 22 districts.
Q: What made you to form a political party of your own being a bhikkhu ?
A. My religion and being a bhikkhu or a member of the Buddha Sasanaya, does not prevent me from entering politics or forming a political party.
I was compelled to form the political party on my initiative because of the experience the country has had in the past seven decades.
The majority of the political parties had gone to represent and be the voice of both the urban and rural people , and they have failed miserably in their duty by the people. Those elected as MPs, once they enter Parliament, the promises they have given the people goes with the wind; many shun meeting the people who voted for them. They are busy with accumulating wealth, fame and positions for themselves and their families.
The public are fed up with political parties which have been operating for decades.
They have failed miserably to serve the people. Many of those who represented the people had failed to raise their voice on the plight of the poor masses of this country.
The people look for something new which could move to the future with trust and confidence. Today, the voters are much more mature with their hard earned life experience and the times.
They look for intelligent leaders to send to Parliament. They confine themselves to elect the best at the given opportunity. This is one of the good reasons which pushed me to form the political party of which I am the Leader.
We invite the people to think of our political party, which tells no lies, but is committed to be the voice of the people.
We enter the Sasana to basically serve the people on their inner/ spiritual life. But none had prevented bhikkhus entering politics. My religious garb is no issue at all to represent the people.
I consider that politics done in the right spirit; keeping to its policies and committing themselves to raise the lives of the peopleis one of the good ways of serving the public. I only formed the political party but it belongs to the people of this country.
I take this opportunity to call upon every man and woman with the right to vote, to not to cast your vote in vain. But cast your valuable vote after considering all aspects you are familiar with. Hesitate not, to cast your vote for the Janasetha Peramuna; “Your Vote is a very valuable weapon to shape the future of this country.”
We are very concerned about you; for you all are our treasured people. Cast your vote for our candidates.
We guarantee that we will make your voice heard in Parliament. We also assure the public, that the Janasetha Peramuna will stand firm and will not bow to any pressure to do something detrimental to the well-being of the people and or do something to tarnish the good name of our party and its policies.
Q. Looking at past results do you think your party stands a better chance this time?
A. Yes, we are very optimistic that we stand a better chance this year. As I said earlier, our people are more mature now and they know and have experienced the result of their folly of casting their votes for parties which were not concerned about the well-being of the people.
We are very concerned and we want to be the voice of the voiceless and the best place to represent the voiceless people is the Parliament.
We also have heard all promises political parties make before the election, but they are nowhere to be seen after they come to power.
The mistake lies greatly with the people who have the right to elect, the right person to represent them in Parliament.
They have failed during all these past decades to send the right person, man or woman, to the House of Representative.
The end result is continuous suffering of all people especially those people below the poverty line.
Janasetha Peramula leader Ven. Battaramulle Seelarathan Thera said they should not repeat the past mistakes.
They can go through our policies and see what we stand for. Examine their promises. Do not get deceived by their false promises.
I repeat, if you are keen to see this country undivided and to live in peace as citizens of one country, act with responsibility. This may be your last opportunity to do your duty by the country.
- WIRUMA