All four major contenders (no need to mention them) for the presidency come September 21, have released their manifestos: magnificently made castles in the air with a magnum of imagination; irresponsibly airy fairy; frankly tall tales. The latest released was by Namal Rajapaksa, with his father close at hand and four paternal uncles planting kisses on his cheek which translates for those watching – elders’ approval. The moot point as pointed out by a TV news reader was his promise to eliminate corruption. We presume it’s not of the ordinary people, you and me, but from those who govern us. So rich his saying this.

   It will be a herculean task since corruption is rife in this country. It was not always present. We oldies remember MPs, Ministers, top government administrators who possessed the Four Absolutes: honesty, purity, unselfishness and love of country; they truly did from DS and his Ministers down to the 1960s or thereabouts after which corruption stealthily stole in. We had a government-to-government complaint, Cass believes from Japan, reporting that a Cabinet Minister solicited a commission from a foreign company. In-house enquiry followed the complaint, and absolution to the corrupt minister. Result: the cold shoulder from this once biggest benefactor to SL.

   In conclusion, we congratulate Namal Rajapaksa on mentioning so forcibly his primary task as Prez of SL: wiping out corruption. He might have to change his surname, first.

A perfect, dignified, modern and proud life

This kind of life is promised in a comfortable, safe, rich, and steadfast country. Yes, that is what the NPP manifesto promises us, the citizens of Sri Lanka who are burdened far too heavily, suffer far too much and are denied even the bare basics of life due to high prices and poverty increasing among us. These burdens were heaped on us by corrupt and ineffective governments.

Her first reaction was to laugh – a bitter laugh, her mind going back to 1971 and 1989 and remembering that the country as a whole was made to suffer the very opposites of what AKD promises to do if he becomes Prez of Sri Lanka.

A comfortable country is promised. When the JVP rose up twice with arms to capture power, life for most in SL became totally uncomfortable and many were robbed and tortured and killed. The country was far from safe, rather it was mired in turmoil. Infrastructure being destroyed particularly in the late 1980s, impoverished the country and it became far from steadfast.

But let’s accept the fact the JVP within the NPP is entirely changed now. Its manifesto with their policy statement of 230 pages, after promising the four blissful states mentioned above, assures “a new constitution, an efficient health service aimed at disease prevention in order to create healthy and fit citizens, removal of duty free vehicle permits for Members of Parliament (MPs), changes in the tax system, a pensions for all, limitation of ministerial positions to 25, optimum use of mass media and a free media industry.

” The manifesto also focuses on “methods to recover stolen state assets; sustainable bio world providing a green life for all; a big change in the salary of the Police and to make the Police service people-friendly; making the judicial process smoother and more efficient by taking steps to introduce modern technology and providing proper training to the judges and staff; establishment of a new relief bank to restore the economic activities of micro, small and medium enterprises and provide relief for outstanding loans; establishing a new National Development Bank to provide long-term financing to entrepreneurs, start-ups and business expansion; digital governance; renegotiating with the  IMF on how to contain and implement a more robust and accurate programme to alleviate the hardship of the poor; an efficient workforce and a dignified career; a meaningful and fulfilling life for persons with disabilities and a monthly allowance of Rs 5,000 to senior citizens in need of subsidy.”

Jaundice-free comments

After heaving a huge sigh of relief going through all those promises, but considering each offer with no prejudice, Cassandra expresses thoughts that arose in her. Her opinions are worthwhile as she is old, experienced, still optimistic about the country’s future, is unbiased politically and may be expressing other thinking women’s opinion.

First remark: Utopian in many of the promises. Unlikely implementation of such as the recovery of stolen state assets. Promised by all parties; never even attempted so far. Maybe NPP will succeed. Blatant corruption may cease.

However, praiseworthy in many others and to be endorsed fully by us citizens. Approved particularly is the curtailment of number of the Cabinet Ministers and freebies and concessions to MPs like tax free import of luxury vehicles. Added to this should be pensions for MPs after five years and assurance of the stopping of govt spending on luxury living for past Presidents and their spouses.

We women are suspicious and disapproving of interference with the judiciary. “Proper training of judges” – whatever does that mean? “Making the judicial process smoother and more efficient …”  the manifesto says by introducing technology. But a JVP member very clearly stated that village level courts would be appointed. An Editor termed them kangaroo courts and that sent shivers down our spines.

We have read about the atrocities committed by Pol Pot in Cambodia, where intellectuals were made to work in paddy fields or cut trees in forests and their kangaroo courts. The JVP of long ago expressed the idea of uprooting tea from estates and growing manioc. Fears linger.

We are skeptical about opening up new banks. We have more than enough of banks, some dedicated to helping the farmer and minor entrepreneur. Improve them not overload the banking sector. We were shocked to learn that debts to the People’s Bank by many rich businessmen were written off recently. Also, the idea of re-negotiating with the IMF. Rather the government should make every Sri Lankan to work hard to improve the economy of the country.

 “An efficient workforce and a dignified career” are promised in the manifesto. A huge yes to the first promise. Improving the work in all government offices is imperative, and we believe it is the NPP that can achieve it best and most successfully. There is no work done in offices with the election in close view. At other times too its laissez faire – do minimum but strike work for salary increases. Even schoolteachers behave thus. Next to the elimination of corruption is the need to make efficient the public service. The promise of “a dignified career” is a promise hanging meaningless.

We are, as of now, free of protests and strikes that were daily disturbances to the running of the country and our lives. Every sort of worker from labourers, farmers, teachers and university staff struck work, including doctors. Who were behind these strikes; who the instigators and facilitators? Is it that strikes are banned once date of an election is announced or is it that the instigators are occupied and busy electioneering? There is a warning issued by Ordinaries that strikes may occur drastically if the manifesto Cass comments on does not win its leader the presidency. Anything is possible in this Land like no other!