Colombo voters not in the mood to overlook corrupt politics

Campaigning for next week’s local government elections is in full swing in the Colombo District with all political parties eager to gain control of the most coveted prize of all — the Colombo Municipal Council as well other important councils in the district.

With just three days left before all political campaigning must cease ahead of the February 10 poll, the final round of canvassing is underway in earnest.

Residents of the Colombo Municipal area are eager to vote as they will be exercising their franchise after a gap of nearly six years. The CMC had been run by a special commissioner since 2015 when its four-year term lapsed.

A Sunday Times team toured the city to feel the people’s pulse.

Most residents said they are excited to vote for their own candidates, but also lamented the increased cost of living and inadequate development in rural areas.

Corruption remains a key issue and many question the commitment of a government that failed to keep its promise of ending the rot in politics and governance.

M S M Hussain, from Maradana is one of 700,000 youths who will be voting for the first time in the polls. He is hoping to vote for an effective, efficient, people-friendly candidate who can serve the people.

He said that the roads, access lanes along with drainage canals, must be renovated immediately and maintained because the area floods even during light rains.

“For last two years, the council was not existent, causing many difficulties to the public. We must elect a person who will be dedicated to work for the people and not engage in petty politics," he said.

Some are concerned about the profusion of high rises and commercial property development everywhere in the capital.

M K Fathima’s family had been warned that their area will be acquired for a government funded housing scheme and that families will be resettled. “I told them my family won’t move to any housing scheme outside of Colombo,” she said.

Ms Maya Ranasinghe, a resident of Maradana, said that those who are elected, must first act against unauthorised buildings. "Locals are facing difficulties due to these buildings. There is no space in access lanes, they have been taken over,” she said.

She will be voting for a candidate who has a plan for local development and sensitive to locals needs. “I am interested to vote since we are not bribed, posters are not pasted on our walls and most of all, no gangs and thugs running around demanding votes,” she said.

For G. Ganseshamoorthi, a resident of Kirulapone, who works as an outsourced worker at Abans garbage management unit, there are many other things to worry about.

"Nowadays, if you go to a supermarket with Rs 1,000, you can't buy more than four grocery items. Prices are so high. We have to look for other options such as working part time to earn more money. It is becoming more difficult. With all these worries, how can I think about voting?" A sceptical Ganeshamoorthi told the Sunday Times that he is undecided.

Meanwhile, Tharindu Pushpakumara, a garage owner in Maradana, said that he was fed up with politicians and their underhand deals.

“I don’t even like to discuss politics, one party who engaged in corruption during the previous regime says the ruling party is corrupt and the ruling party says the others are corrupt. They are all corrupt and are misleading the people,’’ he said.

Though he has reservations, he said he will vote, since it is his right and the area needs efficient members in the local bodies.

Bethmage Vincent Perera, a resident of Malabe area, said that he will be voting for candidates who served in the local bodies in the past since they are experienced and known for working for the people.

“Personally, it doesn't matter whether they are corrupt or not, as long as they are able to work for the people. Most of the current leaders are not honest, too, but neglected their public duties due to their personal agendas," he said.

M Abeysiri, who runs a vegetable shop in Salawa, said corruption is deeply rooted.

“From a doctor to government servants, everyone resorts to strikes over their concerns without considering difficulties caused to public. I don't see many clean candidates. May be most of them are corrupt," he said. Ordinary folk in urban areas are struggling in poverty , he said.

Many candidates in the suburbs have resorted to cheap stunts to win votes. In some areas, posters assure locals that their access lanes and by-lanes will be paved if a particular candidate is elected. The Election Commission also observed that in some of the areas, roads had been paved after the polls date was set.

The commission posted a notice to say that public money had been used for roadworks and that people should not feel obliged to any candidate.

The election atmosphere in Kaduwela area was relatively calm. In the suburbs of Colombo, the Election Commission has taken measures to strictly enforce election laws.

Atula Hettinayake, a shop owner on Pothuarawa Road, Kaduwela, said that there are two election offices of rival parties near his shop, but since the laws are strictly enforced, there had not been any violence.

“Supporters of both candidates mind their own business. They have got permission to put up their offices and use loudspeakers for canvassing. I can continue my business very peacefully," he said.

He hopes to see suitable local candidates elected who can take firm stand against racism and religious extremism.

Priyakanthi Samaraweera, a teacher of Commerce at Kosgama Maha Vidyalaya, believes that although more women have got an opportunity to contest, women social activists are yet to exploit this opportunity.

She also said candidates should be screened and the Election Commission should introduce a mechanism. “This would put an end to the pattern of thugs and uneducated persons entering politics,” she said.