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| Saturday, 24 April 2004 |
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People's aspirations and what they expect of the government: 'Give us development, peace and better living conditions' by Chandani Jayatilleke Most Governments make promises to woo voters. However, the common experience is that the moment they are elected to Parliament to represent the common man, they tend to forget the promises given to voters. The public is likely to hope for a change in this pattern.
The Daily News conducted an opinion survey to find out what the common people of this country expect from the new UPFA Government. According to the mini-survey conducted among a cross-section of people, we found out that their aspirations are quite simple. All that they want from a government are the basics for a better living. Some of the aspirations expressed by the people include better educational facilities for children, a continuous peace process, maintenance of law and order in the country, reduction in COL and opportunities for small and medium industrialists. The common people have shown political maturity over the last few elections and they expect the Government to fast track development activities, without losing the common touch. "The Government should listen to the voice of the common people in this country and look into the woes of the majority rural people," the survey revealed.
We interviewed people representing different vocations and different age groups. Following are excerpts from the interviews: Pushpamali - a fruit seller in Fort said if she is to continue to sell fruits and earn a simple living, the peaceful environment in the country should continue, so the Government should ensure consistent peace in the country. Secondly, people should have the buying power to make their purchases, otherwise she cannot raise a decent income to raise the family of three children. Both Pushpamali and her husband are involved in selling fruits. "We need to give a good education to our children. We can't let them sell fruits. Therefore, they should get better education facilities, even though they are studying in a village school. These are the basics we expect from the Government," Pushpamali said. J. Dimadugoda, a pensioner of the clerical service from Nugegoda said the citizens of this country should have the freedom to live without fear.
"The Government should ensure law and order in the country. Firstly, there should be discipline among politicians. How could you ask people to behave in a disciplined manner when our politicians don't understand the meaning of it," he asked. "We also want the Government to put much emphasis on the education system and develop better schools for our children and take measures to bring down the cost-of-living. Kusumawathi and Jayasiri are a married couple with three children and they find shelter in a shanty down the railway line. Jayasiri makes a living as a cobbler. "We have seen many governments ruling this country over the decades. But we haven't got any benefits from any of those governments. We don't have a place to live. We continue to live by the railway line. We have three children aged 13, 12 and 7. But they do not go to school. We can't afford to send them to schools; we don't earn money to cover their expenses."
Jayasiri's daily income ranges from Rs. 100 to 150. "All what we need from this Government is to provide us an opportunity to send our children to school and do something to uplift the living of the poor people in this country," he said. "We have faith in this Government and hope that they will look at our problems immediately," he said. Dayananda Jayawardene runs a newspaper stand in Fort. More than personal benefits, Jayawardene anticipates that the Government will do its best for the country. "We trust this Government. And hope that they would do something better for the country," he said. "Governments can boast saying the economic growth is increasing. But what is important to us is that we should feel it in real terms. "In short we need three things - economic development, peaceful environment and better living conditions," he added. Lalith Kariyawasam and Mohammed Husni run a leather products shop at the World Market in Fort. They say their business can grow only if the country has a free flow of tourists. "We basically sell items to tourists. If they don't come here, we can't make a profit. This will affect the producers as well." "Therefore, the foremost need is peace. Nothing can be done without peace. If there's peace tourists come in big numbers. Over the last two years, many tourists came here and we had brisk sales. We want this Government to continue in the same way. "We have confidence in this Government. They must do what has been promised to voters," Kariyawasam said. Husni said that there should be more opportunities for the SMI sector. This is an important sector in economic growth and many people make a living out of small businesses. "We have given a verdict and now, the Government should act," he said. Neela Kumudini and Jeewanthi are two young girls from Wennappuwa. We met them at the Fort Railway station. They are unemployed, but make a living out of a 'Seettu' business. "We would like the Government to continue with the peace process. So that we can make a living." It is also important for them to find ways to bring down the cost-of- living, they said. S. Charlotte, an elderly woman from Kalutara said the Government should implement some programs aimed at senior citizens. "I have been trying to build a house for our family throughout my life and finally managed to buy a plot of land. But, we can't get bank loans. Why are we deprived of getting loans? Which government is going to look into our welfare?" she asked. B. L. Rathnasiri - a taxi driver in Fort was vociferous. Having keenly followed the political changes in the country over the last decade or so, he said: "We are watching. The Government has already announced its project plans and given a lot of promises to solve the common man's problems in their manifesto. Now, they should keep to their word and do a job of work. Forget political differences on behalf of the country and show results," he said. Otherwise this Government will also have to go home like the UNP did, he added. Answering a question on peace, he said: "Yes, it is important. But we don't want peace gained at any cost." We met Padmini, a parking fee collector and Ariyadasa, a driver down Lotus Road. This is what they had to say: "We are poor folk. We don't get any fixed incomes. We want the Government to do something for the benefit of the poor in this country. Reducing the prices of essentials would be one method. However, tell the Government to do something good to the poor. Why do only the rich get all the perks? Should the rich be richer all the time? What about us, poor folk? "We have faith in this Government and expect the Government to do something better for the country and its people," they said. Well ... many people told us that they have faith in this Government. If the people believe in the political leadership, it's now time for the Government to perform its duty. Pix by Sudath Nishantha |
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