News
Weary southerners primed to effect political change
View(s):Kasun Warakapitiya reporting from the Southern Province
The battle for 2.1 million votes in the Southern Province is on, with political parties and independents pitching their own solutions to local and national issues.
The manifestoes of the main parties are being circulated, and the main candidates are making repeat visits to the three districts: Galle, Matara and Hambantota.
G.W. Samarasinghe
The Galle district with 903,163 votes spread out over 10 electorates has turned out to be the key attraction considering the voter base, but parties are also paying attention to the Matara district with 686,175 votes in seven electorates, followed by Hambantota, which has four electorates and 520,940 votes.
There are problems specific to every district, but the economic collapse has negatively affected most people.
The National People’s Power (NPP), as in many other electoral districts, is focussing its campaign on electing a leader who has vowed to eradicate corruption, while the Samagi Jana Balawegaya is focussing on public issues. President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s eye is on the economy.
Galle:
M.B. Ranatunga
Senior citizen M.B. Ranatunga, 77, who sells plasticware in the Galle market area said that for many years he had voted for various politicians, yet none has helped to improve his quality of life.
“I have a cataract; I am basically blind in one eye, and my wife also passed away some time back. I have my own medical expenses, so I cannot burden my children. So I sell plastic items and knives at the market,” he said.
He said the cost of living has skyrocketed and that people cannot depend on politicians. So they make a living by themselves and effect political change.
Galle clothing vendor Mohamed Najeeb said political parties have failed to address the cost of living. “Over the years, assurances have been given, but the issues remain. This time I would be voting for the person who assures that he can resolve the issues related to hunger.’’
Private sector worker Sriya Kumudini said that every politician mentions more pay for state sector employees, but not for the private sector. “We are not against the salary increase of state sector employees, but we want a reduction in the cost of living and equal relief to all.’’
Ms. Kumudini said a national policy is needed.
Lionel Bandara, the chairman of the public traders association of Galle, said once-poor politicians have built up businesses. He said the underworld and narcotics must be tackled.
People believe that some ministers and those representing the Galle district have failed and have not helped to revive the economy.
Matara:
Residents of Matara are angry at politicians for their failure to resolve long-standing problems of the district, especially the salinity barrier, which causes regular flooding during the monsoon.
A cross-section of those interviewed in the district said they believe one common problem is the lack of engagement of elected politicians in local activities.
“Of course, knowing that the elections are close at hand, all MPs recently suddenly raised the issue of the salinity barrier in Parliament,’’ said farmer Ananda Ranasinghe.
Others said the salinity barrier, built without sluice gates and which cost around Rs 1.2 billion, is a white elephant. Removing it means wasting public funds.
The drinking water is contaminated with salt water in the dry season, and during rains, the salinity barrier creates flash floods. This issue has remained for years.
This issue is being raised against the key candidates by the NPP.
The youth in Akuressa in Matara said they demand change and would support the NPP candidate. People said they want corruption to end.
There is also a lot of support for SJB candidates.
Residents complained of economic issues, the collapse of businesses, and most of all, being disconnected from the electricity supply because they were unable to pay steep tariffs.
They blame Matara representative, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara, who supports Ranil Wickremesinghe.
But this is not an issue concerning only Matara.
A resident of the Akuressa, Nipun Kanishka, 40, said people expected development from the previous president, but that did not happen. Countries in a worse situation than Sri Lanka have progressed.
Akuressa town remains the same as it was in 1988, despite politicians’ claims of developing it. He expects the next president to develop the town in a way that would minimise road traffic congestion.
Pitabaddara Matara resident Indika Kaluarachchi, 40, said that people need development without corruption.
Mr. Kaluarachchi said the rich are earning more and the poor people are becoming poorer. He added that the politics that target specific minority communities must now end.
People are also facing cost of living issues and expect essential items at a lower price, he said.
The people in the Weligama area also raised many issues, not the least of which are the increase in the cost of living and the collapse of businesses.
A photographer living in Weligama, Sarath Hettige, said that for 76 years, the people expected development, yet Sri Lanka remains a developing country.
A former public sector employee, Edward Dominikoon, told the Sunday Times that the country will remain indebted. “The problem is that politicians representing parties are making many promises when nearing presidential, parliamentary, and local elections. Yet there is a question about whether those promises can be met. Just 10% of the promises given during the past have been acted upon.’’
Hambantota:
The Hambantota district, too, has issues unique to the area, and they have become election talking points—drinking water, the uncompleted project of greater Hambantota, the unresolved human-elephant conflict, and permanent land deeds.
Residents said poverty and unresolved issues, as well as the neglect by politicians, have compelled them to switch their political support from mainstream parties.
Malani Jayasinghe, 57, a resident of a fishery village in Tissamaharama, told the Sunday Times she will now support the NPP as all former governments had failed her family.
“We have been battered by the elephants regularly, and the government has not provided solutions,” said Ms. Jayasinghe, who now runs a wayside tea shop on the Tissamaharamaya-Hambantota road.
G.W. Samarasinghe, who sells woven bags and honey by the side of Tissamaharama road, said quality drinking water, low-priced fertiliser and a permanent solution to human-elephant conflict are essential.
Karate trainer Damith Maduranga, 36, wants to see the corrupt government change.
He said the household’s economic situation is problematic and people should decide to vote for a person who would act against corruption.
The incoming president must focus on the private sector employees as well, not just give benefits to the state sector.
A senior official of a state institute who declined to be named said people have not got the benefits of development by the previous government.
The plan to develop greater Hambantota was stopped halfway.
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