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Thursday, 1 April 2010

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Campaign review

The Election campaign is nearing its end. Only three days are left. It is time opportune to cast a retrospective glance and see the salient features of this campaign.

Firstly, it lacked the vigour and enthusiasm associated with elections due to the low key campaign of the Opposition. The UPFA had a virtually free field for most of the time.

Secondly, it was relatively the most peaceful campaign. Inter-party clashes were minimal.

Thirdly, the intensification of the intra-party clashes for preferential votes was most prominent with even supporters of Ministers clashing openly. Time and again the Party leaders had to discipline their candidates.

Fourthly, most candidates were bent on projecting their own image and relegate to the background the Party. It was not Party before me but me before Party. In this sense the question of country before me never arose. In projecting themselves above the Party some candidates even went to the extent of promising jobs on individual basis out of their own funds. While some promised jobs in the garment industry others promised to discuss with overseas friends and dole out jobs. The million dollar questions are why they waited so long and till they got Party nominations to reveal their magnanimity and why they failed to give such jobs earlier. In a sense election period is like the New Year season when one goes in search of your native village and sees distant relatives offering them consolation gifts.

Fifthly, there was no serous discussion about party manifestoes, policies and programs. While the UPFA had a comprehensive program in Mahinda Chintana Idiri Dekma the UNP and the DNA put out unfinished documents claiming to be manifestoes.

Sixthly, in the absence of serious policy discussion, individuals came to be discussed - either to be hailed as heroes or degraded as villains. As far as publicity was concerned the candidates spared no time and resources to portray themselves as paragons of virtue - upright, truthful, humane, sincere etc.

Seventhly, the only debate was about whether the UPFA could get two thirds majority or not. While the UPFA wanted a strong government the Opposition parties could only claim to form a coalition government after discussions following election results, a proposition not so convincing. To an observer it looked as if the Opposition has already conceded defeat and is only haggling to reduce the majority of the Government party.

Eighthly, one clear evidence was forthcoming from all quarters. All parties were brazenly flouting the election laws concerning propaganda. The Elections Commissioner was helpless. His appeals to leaders of political parties fell on deaf ears. The Police were also unable to clear public places of Election propaganda material. Though they did a better job than previously the candidates aggressively displayed their symbols, numbers and faces once again so that the whole exercise became a game of hide and seek between the Police and candidates.

Last not least the campaign illustrated in bold relief the evil character of the preferential system of voting. It is the source of most Election violence and rivalry. It gives a definite advantage to the moneybags over the humble candidates. It also brings to the fore an unholy alliance of the politics and the criminal mafia.

These characteristics perhaps would not go unnoticed among the voters. Their verdict on April 8 will give a clue to their perception of candidates, their qualifications and character.


All are kings

Universal franchise has given the people a gift. They all become kings for a day, once in six years. As soon as the ballot closes they all become slaves once again. That is democracy.

Those who smile from platforms, those who grin from every nook and corner and those who promise to get the sun and the moon for the people forget them the sooner the ballot closes.

If they are victorious then they become their lords not their obedient servants any more. He becomes mantree hamuduruvo and the people become his vassals. If they get defeated then the voters are blamed for his failure.

This is the natural law of parliamentary democracy. The trials and tribulations of the people would continue as they were before unless the people continue to be vigilant and uphold their rights.

Moving to a new political culture:

From personalities to policies

Justice and Law Reforms Minister Milinda Moragoda in an interview with the Daily News said after eliminating terrorism the country is on the threshold of a new political culture from personalities to policies

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The Morning Inspection

Izeth and Devanesan opening batting for Terrorism’s second innings?

The greatest opening pairs have been made of batsmen who complement each other. ‘Complement’ is of course different from ‘compliment’, the latter is about mutual back-scratching.

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Bilingual education in Sri Lanka - Part III:

Self-directed learning benefits

Self-directedness achieved in learning through self-directed learning in bilingual education has made the Sri Lankan bilingual learner independent. In Sri Lankan environment,

Full Story

 

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