Defeating corrupt government & corrupt former regime is the responsibility of the people
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A twofold challenge of defeating the corrupt government and the corrupt clique of former regime is before the voters at the local government election says Dr Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri.He says the birth of the process of corruption and fraud is at the local government councils and requested the voters to use their vote correctly at this election so that it would prevent the situation where an axe has to be used to remove something that could have been removed with the nails.
Boycotting the election due to disappointment with politics in the country is a meaningless act said Dr Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri and invited those who are disappointed with the present political culture to enter profound insight into contemporary politics.
He made these observations at a press conference organized by ‘Inception of Change’ held at Solis Hall at Etul Kotte. A number of university lecturers, professors and former ministry secretaries participated.
Speaking further Dr Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri said, “This election is important in two ways. The local government should represent the day to day matters of the public. In addition to that generally, the whole society needs a political insight. The change that occurred on 8th January 2015 did not intend to bring one or two parties into power. The mandate given has been violated and those who have come to power are moving in a wrong direction.
This has given way to the corrupt forces that were defeated on 8th January to raise their ugly heads again. This is why we have to confront a twofold challenge at present.
We have to fight against the corrupt group that grabbed power on 8th January as well as with the defeated clique that was beaten but are preparing to raise their heads again. Our political system has become extremely corrupt. Those who are engaged in frauds and corruption too are attempting to show that they too represent the anti-corruption movement which we genuinely represent with the JVP.
The foreign loans should be utilized for the welfare of the public. What happens is misusing such funds. A fruitful step should be taken to change this situation.”
Former Ministry Secretary Ashoka Peiris said, “This local government election will have a big impact on national politics. The election campaign divides into two camps. It has been proved that the UNP, SLFP and SLPP are in the same camp. All three groups engage or have engaged in various frauds, corruption and misuse of public funds and assets. The bond scam has taken a centre stage.
Despite being in three groups they are directed by a small group of seven. This clique of seven manipulates the group that comes to power. As such, there would be a difference whoever from these three groups come to power.
These three groups are responsible for the degeneration of the country. The widest disparity in income distribution can be observed at present. The richest 10% gets 34% of the wealth in the country while the poorest section gets only 1.3%.
People have to decide whether to continue with this system. Only the JVP could an answer to the issue. Minister Kiriella says allocations are given only to councils ruled by the UNP. This proves that the attempt is to get one party to control the whole country. This time the people should use their vote to prove that there is a movement worthy of people’s vote.”
Dr Harini Amarasuriya of the Open University said, “In 2015 people rallied with the intention of a long-term change. However, it is observed that this change never took place and matters have taken place to give strength to the defeated forces. Despite, a group acts fanatically to promote communalism, the civilized public expects a change.
We cannot expect change from the three main parties. The only force that could bring this change is the JVP. There is nothing much to think at this election. We should make a change nationally as well as to get a clean administration for the village.”
Dr Anura Karunatilleke of the University of Kelaniya says, “The discussion today goes beyond the local government election. We request the people to think beyond the mere election of a member of a local government council but to rally to select clean politics for the country.”
Senior Lecturer of the University of Fine arts Asela Rangadeva says, “At the moment various dramas are being acted. There are arrests and we see different election gimmicks. We could see that more and more people are involved in the Central Bank bond scam.”
Chartered Quantity Surveyor Dr Chandana Jayalath says, “The biggest corruption in the country takes place in the construction projects. There is no Central Data Bank for Construction in this country. Even today, we cannot trust the data put forward by the media. The subject ministers hand over contracts, spend money arbitrary without any responsibility. This is a curse. Two or three individuals get together to pickpocket 14%. There is no transparency in money transactions. Even the Auditor General has been inconvenienced.
We know what the issue is. We have to give the solution now. We should give the JVP a considerable amount of power in local councils. We need not be overcome by the past.”
