New electoral system good for country - Basil

Chaminda Perera

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday said that a new electoral system will open new path for the country. He said that the voters do not know whom their representative is under the present proportional electoral system. “I do not believe that a new electoral system is a panacea for all ills, but, it will help overcome many shortcomings that existed under the proportional electoral system”, he said.

The Minister was speaking at a workshop on leadership for members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Women’s Association who contested the Pradeshiya Sabha, Provincial Council and Parliamentary elections, at the Sri Lanka Foundation yesterday.

Minister Rajapaksa added that the new electoral system will guarantee that that every electorate has a representative.

He said the Government has appointed Delimination Committee for the demarcation of wards within Local Government areas.

Minister Rajapaksa said many candidates contesting the elections faced injustice due to the present electoral system. “The new system ensures a seat for the candidate , when his or her party wins in the particular electorate”, he said.

Minister Rajapaksa added that empowerment of woman helps strengthen the family unit .

He added that the mothers have a duty to pay special attention on the nutritional standards of their children. “The nutritional standards of the family could be increased by empowering the woman thorough the Divi Neguma programme,” he said.

Minister Rajapaksa noted that members of the SLFP Women’s Wing should play a pivotal role for the success of the Divi Neguma programme.

He said the country experienced an era in which the handloom industry thrived. The Minister was of the view that more women were employed in the agricultural sector in the past, but, the situation changed with the introduction of machinery to the agriculture sector.

Commenting on the economy of the country, the Minister said developing countries like Sri Lanka are affected by the US sanctions on Iran.

“The United States imposed sanctions on Iran, and it is not Iran that is affected by these sanctions, but, developing countries like ours”, he said.

“Iran’s economy is strong and and has the resilience to face such a situation, “ he said. Minister Rajapaksa added that China has trebled its oil purchases from Iran after the US imposed sanctions on Iran.

Minister Rajapaksa added that the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery has been processing Iranian crude oil. “ Iranian crude oil is productive,” he said.

The Minister added that the Oil refinery was closed for sometime as it did not receive necessary crude oil consignment. He said that Iran has extended an easy payment scheme for Sri Lanka, as a longstanding oil purchaser from Iran. Power and Energy Minister Pavithra Devi Wanniarachchi and Southern Province Chief Minister Kumari Balasuriya were also present.