Sri Lanka’s focus should now shift form politics to economics

“One only hopes that the presidential candidates, who should be able to think beyond themselves and for the nation, would know the negative impact on Sri Lankan political fabric because of their behaviour.”
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By N.S.Venkataraman

(February 04, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Many persons , living outside Sri Lanka and who unhesitatingly appreciated the trend towards vibrant democracy in Sri Lanka during the recent presidential poll, would be disappointed to see the bickerings and distrust between the two primary presidential candidates, casting a shadow on the national scene.

It would have been a very healthy and civilized gesture if the winning presidential candidate would have called on the defeated candidate and conveyed his appreciation for the efforts of the defeated candidate and expressed his good will after the election. On the other hand, what we see is the disquieting mutual accusations that one was trying to assassinate the other. With such accusations, the democratic culture in Sri Lanka has taken several steps backward.

One only hopes that the presidential candidates, who should be able to think beyond themselves and for the nation, would know the negative impact on Sri Lankan political fabric because of their behaviour.

Sri Lanka has gone through extremely difficult times and now needs breathing time to resurrect itself. The presidential candidates should be careful in their thoughts and dealings and give such breathing time to Sri Lanka. The suffering Tamil population are looking up to the Sri Lankan government to provide solace to them and create opportunities for their progress and growth. The Sri Lankan youth are aspiring for educational and job opportunities and an atmosphere where they can participate in the national reconstruction. The quarrelling political leaders cannot provide such conditions which are necessary for economic and social betterment.

It is very important that the focus of Sri Lanka should now shift from politics to economics and the government should become busy in planning social and economic betterment projects. The politicians had full measure of time during the recent electoral campaign, when they tirelessly assured the Sri Lankan population about their commitment to the growth and prosperity of the country and the people. While it was alright for them to throw mutual accusations during electoral campaign which is a democratic process, it will become counter productive if they would continue to adopt similar postures even after the elections.

Sri Lanka is now at the cross roads. The politicians should help in moving the country in the positive direction, without letting down the people who voted for one or the other with great hopes and expectations.