The presidential polls – What about agriculture and health?

POSTED ON DECEMBER 28TH, 2014

Chandre Dharmawardana, Ottawa, Canada

The common candidate was a former minister of health, and also a former minister of agriculture. His election manifesto is remarkable in the absence of any statements regarding the crisis in agriculture, health and environmental degradation, resulting in kidney disease, dengue fever and malnutrition spreading in many parts of the country. A similar lacuna is notable in the manifestos of the ruling party, and other candidates. The election manifestos are influenced by city-based political  ideologues concerned only about executive power and regime change. The campaign focuses on constitutional change and claims  of good governance, but ignores the more important need to re-think in terms of long term sustainable development.

The Presidential Polls – What About Agriculture and Health by Thavam Ratna