Political Path Espoused by SriLankan (SL) Politicians Since Independence

By Engr. Kanthar Balanathan

DipEE (UK), GradCert (RelEng-Monash), DipBus&Adm (Finance-Massey), C.Eng., MIEE, 

Former Director of Power Engineering Solutions Pty Ltd, Consulting Electrical Engineers

Leading Engineer of the World 2006, UK Authority Award

 

1.     Positive Politics

DS Senanayake (DSS) and the United National Party (UNP) took responsibility for governing SL on independence with a positive productive approach to governance. Both DSS and Dudley Senanayake (DS) had thoughts of Structural Transformation for economic growth in SL. Governance progressed well with agrarian development and small-scale industries. UNP focused on agrarian and technological growth.

2.     Negativity

However, Oxford returned SWRD Bandaranaike (SWRDB), a person focused on Sinhalese nationalism and socialism campaigned against the UNP and was elected as the PM of SL in 1956. With no understanding of national growth, SWRDB legalised Sinhala only Act (1956) as the country’s national language. This was the first step to the downfall of the country’s growth, incoherence, disunity, ethnic hatred, and racism were introduced. Since this, the regime elected was a racial team.

Currently, a Buddhist month, like a stray dog goes around all provinces and campaigns against Tamils, supporting the erection of Buddha statues and declaring them as holy Buddhist areas. This clergy guy may not be a monk, but probably a rowdy instigated by some racial politicians. This act disturbs the peace in the country.

3.     Development and Solution

Subsequently, on JRJ, return as the president, agreed to the solution of Provincial Councils.

4.     Bribery and Corruption

Sri Lanka was free of bribery and corruption at the population level, however at the political level after 1956 the political team was corrupt. Since 2004 the country was driven to a higher level of bribery and corruption by the Rajapaksa crowd. This does not mean that the Tamils were free of bribery and corruption. They were also corrupt and politically they played the Eel’s tactic. Tamil politicians have two faces. One in Colombo and one in the North.

After 1956, the country's economy was deigning down and in 2019 the economic crisis in SL started to decline and met the worst economic crisis. The root cause is assumed to be the Rajapaksa regime has been in control of the economy since 2004. Bribery and corruption were at the maximum. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, although elected as the President in 2019, was unfit to be the leader to govern a country. He had a racially motivated dictatorial mind in eliminating non-Buddhist and non-Sinhalese people. The white van affair was at maximum and I was targeted in 2014 when I was in SL. In 2019 the economy was driven down to zero FOREX and the country faced starvation and an uprising of the working and elite class.

It is understood from the media that SLPP organised a dinner party for members of SLPP and influential people. This act is a menial act disturbing the process of democracy where people can be misdirected to support the wrong politicians. This again falls under Bribery and Corruption.

The only politician who had the courage and boldness to take over the government through a democratic process was Hon. Mr Ranil Wickremasinghe (RW). Mr RW successfully met his target and saved the people from hunger and death.

To be a head of state, the person should have some high quality, perceptive communicating abilities and should be known among the world leaders (head of state)forum to achieve his objectives. Persons who are from the bush and have a shortfall in perception, and lack in communication abilities are not fit to be leaders. Mr. RW is well known in the World Leaders Forum and gains great respect from world leaders. The Rajapaksas and Sirisenas have earned a bad name in politics and are expected to fail in their goals. Mr Sajith Premadasa failed to move out of the UNP and it is assumed that he can never become the president.

The foolish act by the Tamils is to place someone to contest for the presidential election. Tamils in the North are less than one million. A Tamil can never, win the presidential election, but to split the votes and help a corrupt politician to capture power driving the country to poverty again.

5.     Tax Reforms

The recent tax reforms by the government are a positive act to help the country gain economic and financial stability. It is a great move by the government to implement the tax reforms. In a year the economic crisis would be over and the government would have adequate funds to meet all demands of the people.

People should use their brains to judge how a country would operate effectively and efficiently to meet the people's demands.

6.     Conclusion

If a fanatic racial, short-of-perception politician is elected as the president again, people can be sure to face the country driven back to poverty with zero FOREX dollars and starvation.

The solution is to bring back the current president Ranil Wickremasinghe as the president.