Your precious vote

The day the general election results are out (6 August, 2020), will coincidentally be exactly one year since the Buddhasasana Karyasadhaka Mandalaya, an organization comprising erudite monks and Presidents or representatives of leading Buddhist societies with Venerable DiviyagahaYasassi as Chairpperson and Most Venerable Tirikunamale Ananda Mahanayaka Thera and Venerable Professor Agalakada Sirisumana Thera as Joint Secretaries, presented a memorandum to all leaders of Political Parties at the BMICH. The document itself was unique and historic because it had the signatures of the heads of all religions including the four Mahanayaka Theras, the Archbishop of Colombo, the Bishop of Colombo Diocese, All Ceylon Hindu Congress, and President, All Ceylon Jammiyathul Ulama.The memorandum was titled “Towards the dawn of a new political culture of integrity in Sri Lanka. All Heads of political parties or their representatives, several ministers and MPs and other VIPs were present. Gotabaya Rajapaksa was handed the memo when he came to the Vajiraramaya to meet the Mahanayaka Thera. He later mentioned in an official communique that he was supportive.

Innovative Move

What was the main reason for this never before attempted move? It was an expression of the deep and justified disapproval (actually disgust) with which the general public viewed many of the then MPs – lacking education and decency. Several had not even a pass in the GCE OL examination and very many were guilty of dishonesty and corruption. Most did not know how to behave in the Legislature and were totally incapable of judicious debate. The majority of these knew only how to heckle, hoot, and use indecent language Some had dubious backgrounds too; a few guilty of proven crimes. Hence the Buddhasasana Karyasadhaka Mandalaya took it upon itself to make the very necessary and urgent request.

The very next question before I go any further is: Was this memorandum given due consideration and were selection of nominees to contest the elections made taking into account the character, suitability and acceptability as true representatives of the people with loyalty to the country? . This would apply mostly to new persons who sought party nomination. Fortunately yes. The National Peoples Party (NPP) joining forces with the JVP presents some excellent candidates. In those who had been MPs, was their previous performance in Parliament or as State Ministers taken into account and the general opinion of the public?

A huge, loud, disgusted NO is the answer. It looks as if the parties have selected even those who were Members and Ministers of the previous Parliament whom everyone knew to be corrupt with bribe taking, enriching themselves stupendously, favouring their own relatives and sycophants, and not discharging their duties creditably. The only criterion when selecting contenders for the 2020 elections appears to have been whether the person could win a seat and give an overall majority to the Party. Thus the decadent who somehow or other have a following were given nomination. Sadly those with excellent character and educational and other qualifications will probably lose to the scum who are in the jousting for ballots. That is the voting publics crime.

Opinion backed up with statistics

I have got a message from one of those who helped to draft the memorandum I refer to. He has permitted me to say he was a senior public officer with high credentials and is now in robes having given up everything but having a deep concern for the welfare and well being of this country. I called him a VVIP; he replied: Never a VVIP, maybe a VIP on some occasions.

So please, as I will do, we must vote wisely. If possible let us make others know of the importance of their vote and to use it to stamp out as far as possible, corruption, nepotism, vice and injustice. The Ven Bhikkhu wrote: Please act according to your conscience. I, too, have avoidedpolitics throughout my life even as a layman. Evennow I avoid politics but there is aduty by our country and our people to create an environment for humangrowth. That is compassion.

He continues in his note to me:A general election is crucial because it enables the sovereignpeople to vote for a government they wish to have. In Buddhist texts we have theterm mahasammata, which means approved or accepted by the many. We now have a very civilized way of choosinga governmentand that is by casting one’s vote. Over 50 % of Sri Lanka’s population are females and I believe that almost 99% of them want to live peacefully in a decent environment. People have to understandthe value of their vote and hence, vote responsibly.

According to world indices Sri Lanka is placed 89th in corruption, 69th in Rule of Law, 71st in crime, 54th in healthy life expectancy, 130th in happiness, and 69th in qualityof life. If this country, with a majority Buddhist population, follows at least the five precepts, Sri Lanka should be within the first ten. For this to happen the country needs persons of integrity and honesty to be Members of Parliament and this is the chance in five years to send such persons to Parliament, and herald the Dawn of a new era.

Yes, we women are wiser and usually more reliable to choose correctly. Thus all Sri Lankans eligible to vote should exercise their franchise to select honest candidates with integrity. We may have party preference, but this time we must consider the choice of persons offered us and choose educated men/women of some standing. That is absolutely imperative. This is the final chance to be democratically governed. Both largest parties have split. In one, the offshoot has outgrown and outstripped its mother plant. It is said to be heading for a majority win.

The other large party, and older, which like its symbol the elephant was originally majestic, strong and dependable, unfortunately divided into two, solely due to hubris of leaders and deputies; personal considerations which mean selfishness overcoming party allegiance and loyal duty to the nation; and unwillingness to compromise. Both the party that gets into power and the opposition need good men who love this country and place the country before self and not vice versa. And we need a balanced parliament, with no party winning a two third majority or bribing the decadent to cross over to make up the two thirds. That too is imperative by voting the correct persons in.

It seems to be, we will all be holding our breath after voting and till results are announced (well over one day later). A huge consolation is the Elections Commissioner and the Commission are to be trusted. So let us fervently hope and even pray the elections proceed smooth, fair and unhindered and results declared ensuring the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka will remain thus intact, with straight standing men and women being the new MPS.