
Srilankan need to understand what the future holds before deciding whom to support.
With just four months until the next Presidential Election and a year and two months until the General Election, Sri Lanka is approaching a critical juncture. Elections shall take place as scheduled, as the Constitution mandates. However, a significant issue remains: political leaders and parties are neglecting to present their policies and plans for the country. The voters need to understand what the future holds before deciding whom to support.
The general public has the right to know what is store for then well before deciding whom to vote for. They need adequate time to study the policies presented in writing and through the main media.Moreover, it is crucial that all politicians and their parties or alliances present clear, comprehensive policies on every subject, rather than just a few pages on selected topics. The most important of these is the economic policy, as this is what matters most to the people.
Other essential areas needing through policy coverage include national security, foreign policy, health, education, media, religion, culture, national assets and free trade agreements. The comprehensive list encompasses the entire country and its population, and no subject should be omitted. Every citizen deserves to know what the future holds, and this transparency is their right.
Equally important is the need for political literacy and vigilance among the people. A lack of vigilance over the past seven and a half decades has contributed to the current financial crisis. Therefore, citizens must meticulously record the policies presented by political leaders and parties, keeping them for future reference. This will enable then to hold politicians and their parties accountable accurately.
If people forget the promises made by politicians, they cannot ensure justice when those policies are violated or not implemented.
The only other way to judge politicians and their parties is by their past behaviour. People make mistakes and forgiveness is a virtue. But it is rare to see genuine reform, especially among those with severe offences. Unfortunately, we have yet to see anyone who has truly reformed and moved forward.
The countdown to the next Presidential and General Elections accelerates, and Sri Lanka is struggling to weather a stormy period. The absence of robust policy frameworks leaves the political pendulum adrift. Political leaders and parties must be mindful or prioritising the formulation and transparent communication of comprehensive policies, if they genuinely need to serve and guide the nation through these turbulent times.