Audio: Leaders holding hands & rubbing shoulders with each other would not bring any benefit to ...

Thursday, September 18, 2014 - lankatruth.com

The country would not gain anything just because leaders greet each other and get on to stages holding each other’s hands said the JVP Leader Anura Dissanayaka addressing the media after he had a discussion with the Mahanayaka of Malwatte Chapter the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thero today (18th) morning. The National Organizer of the JVP Bimal Ratnayaka too was present.

Speaking to the media Mr. Anura Dissanayaka said, “The Presidential election should be officially called in 2017. However, the government has a plan to hold it in the first quarter of next year. This means the next two years are inauspicious to Sri Lanka. The present regime would call a presidential election only if it could solve all the issues of the country and the people, build a country where law is supreme and stop frauds and corruption. Calling the election before that indicates the next two years are not auspicious for the people and the country. This is confirmed as the present regime doesn’t make any attempt to do so despite having executive presidential power, 2/3rd majority in the Parliament and the power in provincial councils. However, at the next presidential election we believe we would get an opportunity to win a better life for the people in the country. We had a long discussion with the Mahanayaka regarding what type of situation would exist at a future presidential election, that the present situation is not auspicious for the country and the people and how it could be changed.

There was a discussion regarding a common candidate. However, the UNP acted factionally and the discussion regarding a common candidate was nullified. There is a possibility that Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe would contest the presidential election. He is the other side of the government, the other side of the same coin. As such, what the country needs is not the same kind of a government or a leader.

Instead of a small minority enjoying the greater portion of the wealth in the country, the country should be guided towards a new direction that would allow the greater majority of the people get the benefit of country’s developed economy, law and order act without considering the position or affluence, culture and morality are strengthened and our children are guaranteed a bright future. The JVP is endeavouring for such an eventuality.

What we need is not a mere change of regime or leaders. We have changed several governments and leaders since 1947. However, the people have not been benefited. Instead of going forward, our country has been taken back. Hence, we don’t believe that a mere change of regime or leaders would not do any good for our country. The country would not gain anything because leaders greet each other and get on to stages holding each other’s hands. Instead of the socio-economic policies that are being followed, the country should be transformed into a country with a new administration that is congenial to the masses. The JVP is prepared to have discussions with all sections for such a task.

Political leaders got on to the stage holding their hands in 1970 and 1994. The country would not go forward merely because the leaders have made amends. The country needs a change in socio-economic system. We are endevaouring for such a change.

We hope to implement a new constitution. However, the issues confronted by a country cannot be solved with a constitution only. The present constitution has created a constitutional dictatorship. The present executive has swallowed the Parliament and the Judiciary. This constitution allows anyone to go on a despotic path. It has obstructed unity among the Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslims. This is an outdated constitution. It should be changed. There should be a change in social and economic system as well.