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“End to political instability and Rajapaksas’ dynastic ambitions”
”Speaking at the rally at Avissawella, Opposition’s Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena said that Mahinda Rajapaksa will have to leave for good after the January 8 elections.
Maithripala Sirisena with farmers after unveiling the NDF manifesto at the Viharamaha Devi Park on Thursday. Pic by Indika Handuwala
He said he would put an end to the current political instability and to the dynastic ambitions of the Rajapaksas, and promised a multi party government with political stability, once he comes into power.
“Mahinda Rajapaksa did not deliver any of his promises made in 2005 or 2010,” he said. “When the people greeted him as “Maha Raju” in 2009, following the end of the war and of terrorism, intoxicated by their plaudits and also by songs in his praise written and sung by people close to him, he forgot that we are a democratic republic and not a monarchy. This much became evident to us from his behaviour after the 2010 elections, and we of course could not let him continue his (dictatorial) rule.
“Taken up with his ‘kingliness’, Rajapaksa paid no heed to Cabinet ministers, Bhikkus, other religious leaders, intellectuals, academics or anyone else. Corruption and abuse of power began to hold sway. No other ruler in our entire history, exploited and swindled State wealth or the national patrimony, like he did,” Mr Sirisena said
| NDF Election Manifesto Towards compassionate governance and a stable country Under the theme, “A compassionate Maithri governance, a stable country,” the presidential candidate for the New Democratic Front (NDF) Maithripala Sirisena released his election manifesto at the Viharamaha Devi Park on Thursday. The highlights of the manifesto are constitutional amendments that guarantee democracy which include the scaling down of the powers of the Executive Presidency and allying those powers with Parliament and Cabinet. The Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system too will be changed and the 18th Amendment abolished. The NDF candidate also pledges to set up a stronger anti-bribery and corruption fighting mechanism, while the Right to Information legislation too will be introduced. The development economic system will be put in place, where the needs of the common man are addressed while wasteful expenditure will be shelved. The manifesto also pledges measures to set up a moral society, food security and stable development, healthcare for all, free education overcoming new challenges, international relations that defend the country, industries and services that eliminate unemployment, an advanced and responsible public sector, an energy secure Sri Lanka and a meaningful substantial media freedom. Following are some highlights of the Manifesto:- “I will re-assess all mega projects undertaken recently. I will punish those responsible for technical offences in such projects, irrespective of the status of the offenders. A special programme will be formulated to investigate big and small development activities that have been undertaken throughout the country, procurements and transactions of institutions and fraudulent investment of Employees Provident Fund funds. ***In order to provide urgent relief to the debt-stricken, salaries of public servants will be increased by Rs 10,000. I will take measures to provide the first installment of this increase amounting to Rs 5,000 from February 2015. *** Illustrated warnings on Cigarette packets will be increased to 80%. *** I will only allow the two Casino licences given to “Water Front” and “Lake Kere” under the Strategy Act, contrary to certain decisions of Parliament and the Cabinet of Ministers, and despite the opposition of the Chief Prelates of all three Buddhist Sects. ***I will immediately prohibit the import and distribution of agro-chemicals that were identified as causing kidney diseases. Fifty per cent of all farmer’s’ loans will be written off and a grace period given to reassess anew and pay the balance money. ** Political appointments and appointment of relatives to the Foreign Service will be annulled, and the entire Foreign Service will be reorganised with professional officials and personnel with professional qualifications. ***Our Indian policy will take into due consideration the diversity of India. I would act to have closer relations, with an attitude that would be neither anti-Indian nor dependent.*** The motorcycle loan granted to public servants will be totally written off and the Rs. 50,000 paid by them at the time of obtaining the motorcycle, will be refunded to them. ***The involvement of State intelligence agencies for political and civil activities will be prohibited by law. ** The service of all those who were subjected to political victimisation and punishment, including former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka and the 43rd Chief Justice Madam Shirani Bandaranayake, will be reinstated in their lost positions and their lost rights restored. (More details in the Political Column on Pages 12 and 13) |