Wake up countrymen, take the fate of this country into your hands

I read and heard recently in the media a powerful minister stating that there was no need to discuss or divulge Government information or intentions to the public.

Since the Government is elected only for a specific time and with pre-conditions as spelled out in their manifestos they cannot claim sovereignty. Governments come and go, it is the people who will always remain sovereign. Our politicians must learn from the United States of America. Very frequently the Voice of America televises various committees of the Congress questioning the Secretaries of State and Defence etc.

These Congressmen belonging to the opposition tear these top officials to pieces. They cannot conceal anything during a virtual cross-examination. Whether it be about Blackwater or secret prisons, all questions have to be answered. We as a nation have for too long accepted the politicians, their manipulative skills and have been cleverly buried in our own foolishness by these politicians.

Countrymen, please wake up, take the fate and future of this country into your own hands, do not let the politicians impose their will on us, let us impose our will on them. Since 1948, the politicians are freewheeling on a comfortable seat, we are bearing the brunt and crunch, we are being worn out. We are too tired and too worn out to resist. But are we going to leave this political hegemony for our progeny?

By Walter Fernando, Ratmalana