Former Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga expressed concern over the widespread media speculation regarding her alleged support for various candidates in the 2024 Presidential Election.
Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga clarified her position, emphasizing that she has chosen to remain neutral, despite numerous requests from various candidates seeking their endorsement.
She reiterated that she has not and will not extend her support to any candidate at the 2024 Presidential Election.
Kumaratunga said the future of our country has never faced such uncertainty and challenges as it has today, adding that all voters must reflect seriously when deciding to cast their vote.
She proposed that "we take into consideration not the individual, but programmes of action presented by each candidate, the manner, procedures and systems they will employ to implement the programmes, as well as the people who will be in charge of implementation."
The former President said "Priority should be given to the abolition of the Executive Presidency and to policies for the sectors of; Education, Health, Agriculture (especially small farmer agriculture), Small / Medium Industries and Enterprises, diversification of major Industries and exports, as well as the Plantation Sector, International Trade and Tourism."
She stated "We, the voters, have an inalienable right to demand an assurance from the candidate of our choice, good and honest governance and the elimination of Corruption in government, proper implementation of the promised policies. Most importantly, this would mean the appointment of persons of high integrity, merit and qualifications to the Legislation, the Executive and Judiciary, and to all high posts of government."
Kumaratunga added that it would also mean setting up laws, systems, and procedures to ensure good governance and to eliminate the curse of corruption from our government institutions and from our land.
She said "Let us not forget the massive people’s movement, englobing the entire country, that erupted 2 years ago in 2022, demanding honesty and accountability in government — A Radical System Change."
Kumaratunga said she believes this cannot be achieved through the present system where the citizens vote every 5 years to establish a government but have no say or participation in the way government is managed during the ensuing 5 year period.
She highlighted that a government structure that includes citizen participation in government - in decision making and implementation is the only solution that could minimize wrong doing in government and achieve our dream of a System Change.
She proposed that a People’s Council be created through the Constitution, which will act in parallel with the government, to review proposed government policy before it is placed before parliament and give its views to the Cabinet of Ministers, who will take into consideration these views.
She said the Council will also have authority to review implementation of these government policies and report to Parliament as well as to District Peoples’ Committees.
She proposed that the Peoples Council will be composed of leaders of Civil Society such as, representatives from Professional Associations/ Business Chambers/Academic Associations — university and school teachers/ Trade Unions/ Farmers’ Organizations/Retired Public Servants/ Artists Associations and NGO’s.
She added that 40% of the total membership of the Peoples’ Council will be Youth and 40% will be women, and thus, there will be direct participation in government by the People through their representatives.
She said it will be a unique system designed to ensure Democratic governance in Sri Lanka.
Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said it will be an effective solution to eliminate corruption and waste, while ensuring efficiency in public services.
(newsfirst.lk)
