Why can’t politicians work together for country’s good?
This editorial is written on behalf of the common man of Sri Lanka who is trying to make sense of the recent speech by President Maithripala Sirisena during the 76th birth anniversary of Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera on Wednesday (30).
Several media outlets have focused on various aspects of his speech, but the bottom-line was that he was critical of various actions of his own Government.
He spoke of the Central Bank Bonds scam and of the 100-day programme among many things. He even went on to state that he was unaware who had drafted the 100-day programme, which was introduced soon after he was elected President in 2015. He did not spare the United National Party (UNP) which is the majority component of the Coalition Government as well.
Yes, there are serious drawbacks in the Government and the public is aware of it. What the public would not have expected is for the President to point fingers at his own Government. One could say that he was accusing the UNP for the issues within the Government.
Even though he is accusing the UNP, he is the Head of the Government and he should take full responsibility for the actions, and the inactions of the Government.
The common man expects a President to be confident, fearless and one who listens to the public and addresses the issues within the Government. Not a President who comes to a public platform, loses his cool, and confuses the public already befuddled by a Government that looks and sounds lost.
What the President might not understand is the fact that his criticism of his own Government would not paint a good picture, especially, among the international community.
Over the past three years this Government has been notorious for confusing the masses by contradicting and retracting statements and decisions.
Wednesday’s speech by the President not only implies, but also worsens the already existing political crisis. What makes it worse is the fact that the President made these scathing remarks on a platform to which he was not invited for.
Those who once backed him to be President are slowly moving away because of the current confusing and volatile situation.
Did the President really have to do this at this time? Is this the right time for him to make such a speech which sheds bad light not only on him, but the entire country?
Ever since the Government came into power it had been accused of lacking clear policies pertaining to key aspects such as the economy.
Economic experts pointed out that Sri Lanka had lost many investment opportunities due to lack of clear vision. The contradictions and confusions within the National Government did play a key role in Sri Lanka losing out on such opportunities.
We need a President who takes the blame for the blunders of the Government.
For the common man it does not matter whether it is Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) or the UNP which runs the Government. All politicians claim that the people come first. If that is so, why is it hard for politicians to work together for the good of the country?
If they could all work together to win the elections, why can’t they work together to take the country forward?
Several media outlets have focused on various aspects of his speech, but the bottom-line was that he was critical of various actions of his own Government.
He spoke of the Central Bank Bonds scam and of the 100-day programme among many things. He even went on to state that he was unaware who had drafted the 100-day programme, which was introduced soon after he was elected President in 2015. He did not spare the United National Party (UNP) which is the majority component of the Coalition Government as well.
Yes, there are serious drawbacks in the Government and the public is aware of it. What the public would not have expected is for the President to point fingers at his own Government. One could say that he was accusing the UNP for the issues within the Government.
Even though he is accusing the UNP, he is the Head of the Government and he should take full responsibility for the actions, and the inactions of the Government.
The common man expects a President to be confident, fearless and one who listens to the public and addresses the issues within the Government. Not a President who comes to a public platform, loses his cool, and confuses the public already befuddled by a Government that looks and sounds lost.
What the President might not understand is the fact that his criticism of his own Government would not paint a good picture, especially, among the international community.
Over the past three years this Government has been notorious for confusing the masses by contradicting and retracting statements and decisions.
Wednesday’s speech by the President not only implies, but also worsens the already existing political crisis. What makes it worse is the fact that the President made these scathing remarks on a platform to which he was not invited for.
Those who once backed him to be President are slowly moving away because of the current confusing and volatile situation.
Did the President really have to do this at this time? Is this the right time for him to make such a speech which sheds bad light not only on him, but the entire country?
Ever since the Government came into power it had been accused of lacking clear policies pertaining to key aspects such as the economy.
Economic experts pointed out that Sri Lanka had lost many investment opportunities due to lack of clear vision. The contradictions and confusions within the National Government did play a key role in Sri Lanka losing out on such opportunities.
We need a President who takes the blame for the blunders of the Government.
For the common man it does not matter whether it is Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) or the UNP which runs the Government. All politicians claim that the people come first. If that is so, why is it hard for politicians to work together for the good of the country?
If they could all work together to win the elections, why can’t they work together to take the country forward?
