Yahapalanaya needs more women politicians

The political scenario in Sri Lanka is outrageously macho. It is dominated by obese men enslaved by their greed for power and money and addicted to a super-luxurious lifestyle. They rant and rave at political rallies and in Parliament pushing their own petty agendas and resort to verbal abuse and even physical violence to tackle disputes. The few younger and leaner men like Champika Ranawaka, Eran Wickramaratne, Sujeeva Senasingha, and last, but not least, Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera stand out like aliens amidst an earthy mob. The public has become aware of a dire need for new blood to cleanse the old rot as shown by the historic Presidential Elections that gave us our new President

Highly literate women who have earned respected places in almost every profession, including Engineering have been strangely reluctant to enter Politics. Could it be the prevailing culture of violence and disregard for law and order that deter them?

Fortunately for Sri Lanka, President Maithripala Sirisena’s simple lifestyle, gracious presence, eloquent oratory, impressive leadership, evident in the arduous passage of 19A as well as initiatives by his government to investigate alleged financial crimes are some of the factors that reflect a salubrious change in the political culture. The public has become aware of a dire need for new blood to cleanse the old rot as shown by the historic Presidential Elections that gave us our new President.

The upcoming General Elections should produce a fresh slate of honest, qualified and dedicated politicians, including women of the calibre of Thalatha Athukorala, Rosy Senanayake and Chandrani Bandara.

There is no wayYAHAPALANAYAcan succeed unless more women politicians serve the country at all levels of government.

CHITRAPREMARATNE