BT-Second Curve poll
is not “Good Governance,” they should stop using that word anymore. How unfortunate.
On the sale of SriLankan Airlines:
The sale of SriLankan Airlines is long overdue. Despite a huge net liability position it should have value in landing rights, routes, marketing networks, processes, management and brand which are not reflected on the balance sheet. A sale may be possible if the Government divests 100 per cent of ownership and provides guarantees of non-vesting and non-interference that could be enforced by a multilateral agency. SriLankan Airlines exists so that the politicians can fly free of charge and get special treatment. We pay for this through our taxes. The chairman is a friend of the PM and the CEO is the brother of the PM’s friend. SriLankan should be liquidated so that we can stop bleeding tax money. This (sale) has to be stopped by the people by hook or by crook. We cannot let this government sell all the country’s assets. The last regime cannot be blamed for everything. They messed up and now the ( new) fellows are ruining it. The crony board should be sacked. I believe it should be on a joint management basis with the recruitment of locals done by the foreign partner. All decisions should be purely business and not politically- linked. The ruin of Sri Lanka cricket is the perfect example of political meddling and affiliations! Sell or close shop . Sell and conduct investigations into the past up to 2014 and the present .
On continuing protests on the streets;
Unfortunately this seems to be the only effective way of getting solutions to long-standing issues. The government should implement discipline over democracy. Continuing protests should be completely stopped as issues are not very significant or distorted like the SAITM issue. The electronic media spends time on these protests in their news telecasts, whereas they should concentrate on national issues and not minor protests carried out by certain sections on matters like repairing a road, etc. Looking forward to political and economic stability, less promises and more delivery and ethnic harmony. Seriously think of reducing expenses of parliamentarians.
On reducing Government debt:
As long as there is a budget deficit the debt will continue to grow. Hopefully economic growth will pick up helping reduce the debt to GDP ratio. While reducing debt, it is also important to reduce costs of governance in parliament and in local government, meaning a reduction in the numbers of elected representatives. Debt will continue to rise as the government spends money it does not have to keep the economy moving which impacts on the public interest. There will be around 4000 additional crooked politicians at provincial level to rob the village. However without preferential voting there is likely to be a peaceful election The election will bring the notorious robbers back; you can never expect development for the country from them. Unlike in the past other than some minor incidents among political parties, nothing serious will crop up in this election. The Poll would be peaceful with women participation. The new election system will produce representatives for each electoral ward which is a positive step. 25 per cent allocation to women representation is a good move. Public should be properly informed on the new election system.
On transparency and governance
What has changed under Yahapalanaya? No transparency no accountability, everything is done in secrecy. The Rule of Law applies only to the small man. The affluent sleeps keeping the law under the pillow. The law does not apply to them. They are used to robbery with the experience in daylight theft in the Central Bank as an example and irrespective who is in power. Always the top must lead for the subordinates to follow. They will be accountable in small projects and rob the mega projects, Where is the legal system to try these offences in this country? There needs to be leaders of honesty to make good the promise of Yahapalanaya or Good Governance. The rogues in both the major political parties need to move out to make way for patriotic, educated people to do an honest job. The Government is attempting to reduce the COL from the time the country was released from the dictatorship of Mahinda but hasn’t got its act together. Ranil is laying the base for Mahinda to take over. Mahinda in turn is misleading the public to give comfort to Ranil. The people get crushed in the middle. They sold the Port and leased the adjacent land. This Government will betray the people since it shed its responsibility to arrest the culprits and are protecting them. This country need to be resurrected by a collective approach by the leaders of the Sinhalese. Instead, they are engaged in destroying the resources of the island. Dependency on black money circulation They will sell the airline as it (authorities) have sold everything. They will give the airline to their ‘friends’; that is how the Central Bank was robbed. Laws are passed unnoticeable and the whole Parliament connives with the system to sell enterprises with the airline being no exception. The airline needs to be sold if income is forthcoming. Development is not leasing or selling like the Hambantota Port. We need an affordable airline, an airline that meets the needs of the country. Selling SriLankan will tarnish our world image. Stop selling everything and restore efficiency in public enterprises.
On continuing protests on the streets
Protests do not result in public opinion but is the agenda of the politicians. The SAITM issue has eased and there are fewer street demonstrations. The tyre of protest has deflated on the road for some time. Let the New Year be free of the SAITM ISSUE. Tap the intelligentsia, protect the right to protest; thereby respect public opinion. Avoid hasty decisions and expand the horizon to Good Governance.
On reducing Government debt
They mortgage the country to get revenue to pay out the debts; thereby the whole country is mortgaged in the near future. The Government was sharp to give the debtors the projects they initiated as loans. The debt increases gradually but will soar in time to come. That is the truth, the absolute truth. Need to develop local SMEs. Do not privatise education. Need to improve efficiency of the public service. Irresponsible borrowings have deepened the crisis and make it worse by under-utilisation of state funds. Selling state enterprises to recover loans is going unchecked To sell major economic points like airports and ports to pay debts is a joke.