Prof. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole
The numbers are out. The new Local Authorities system designed to have 25% women is a resounding success.
The Local Authorities Elections Ordinance required nominations to be on two lists – List 1 for the Wards, consisting of 60% of the seats of a local authority, and List 2 for the old Proportional Representation (PR) system making up the remaining 40%. Ten percent of the ward nominations had to be of women and 50% of the whole should have been of women.
After some complex computations and neglecting some nominal numbers like overhang, the 10% women from the 60% ward-seats would have returned 6% seats for women out of the whole (if the nominees were as good as the men). And 50% seats for women out of the 40% PR seats would have yielded 20% women representatives – that is 25% women if the selections for PR seats is done justly by the political parties nominating members.
This new system, say women’s groups, is the brainchild of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who agreed to what the women had been asking for, for decades.
What do the numbers tell us? Out of 5092 representatives elected to wards, women are 537 – that is 10.55%. With only 10% women contesting for the ward seats, more have been elected. This means the public are not at all averse to women representatives.
And then overall, out of the total 8698 representatives (Ward+PR), there are 1991 women – making up a total of 22.89%. Although a little less than the targeted 25%, there are a few more women to come – see below.
The Provincial Council elections are next. The legislation is ready providing for one-sixth women. I do not know why it is not a quarter as for the Local Councils — the government had rather foolishly scaled back its ambitious and commendable program for women without even testing the new system.
Now the new system has proved to yield the expected outcome of accommodating women. Despite this success, the Daily Mirror of 19.03.2018 reports that there is a consensus among political parties to revert to the now abolished system with all seats by PR. Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Minister, spoke of complications in the election to local authorities as the reason why they want to go back to the old system.
What complications? Stuff and nonsense! Old men who literally controlled 98+ percent of the seats in local authorities are resentful that they now have only 75%, and that the people really voted for the women who were elected.
There is nothing wrong with the new system. After the elections, when the parties were asked by the Election Commission to nominate women for the vacant PR seats, some either did not respond, or responded partially or sent in the names of men where they ought to have sent in women. The Election Commission after waiting beyond the deadline we had imposed finally published the gazette without the names that should have been submitted, or after deleting the last of the men’s names where the men’s names should have been women’s. For example if a party was asked by the Commission to nominate 2 men and 2 women, and instead if they had sent in 3 men and 1 woman, the third man on their list in excess did not get his name published in the gazette. We published only the first two names of the men and the woman’s. We did not do this arbitrarily but only after telling them that this is what we would do if they did not comply. So, even now, if they send us the missing female names, we would be happy to issue a new gazette with these supplementary names. This is why I said more female names would come in.
I understand that there is party infighting as to which men should be nominated even when men are eligible. This is why some parties have missed the deadline. In their inability to decided, they blame the Election Commission and the new system.
Like spoilt brats, politicians speak of the burden they need to carry in nominating women. What burden when the public has elected more than the 10% the parties had to nominate for wards? How are women a burden when they do satisfactory work as doctors, teachers and administrators, well in excess of their numbers? How, when Colombo has had a stellar mayor and even female doctors elected? What burden to parties when the women are the parties’ own nominees, and they had every opportunity to find independent women who can serve the nation and their party well?
These men treated women with disrespect and carelessly nominated women just for the sake of filing nominations, women who they now think are unfit to be nominated. Serves them right I say! Boo to them!
Now that women are in place in Councils, let us make sure they have a chance to prove their mettle. We must support them, regardless of their party, and ensure that they succeed.
The Prime Minister, after the political parties made representations to go back to PR for the provincial councils, agreed to have more talks with them.
I urge Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe not to even think of any more talks. This is a success story this government can rightly boast of – where 52% of the population, our women, had their political rights recognized. Why would the Prime Minister turn his back on what is his lasting legacy to this nation?
justice / March 21, 2018
Prof. S.R.H.Hoole is correct.
In almost every democracy, women have equal rights in politics.
We boasted about the World’s very first woman Prime Minister, who also was elected president of the Organisation of Non-aligned Countries.
Women should have 50% of seats/membership of our legislature.
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Sarrij / March 21, 2018
J.
SL is a banana republic.
The PM is an arch manipulator and the President is a puppet.
Don’t keep your hopes too high; nothing happens by the book in SL.
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Sinhala_Man / March 21, 2018
Part One
Bravo, Prof Hoole and “justice”.
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Human beings everywhere must start doing the right thing, irrespective of whether doing so suits our own sub-species of not.
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Do we have to ensure Justice for the rest of living beings or not? I just don’t know. Only yesterday, news came through that the last male white rhino has died of old age. Forget genetic engineering. That’s the end of a sub-species, mainly because of human males. In case some readers are unaware, this toll on rhinos is because men are silly enough to imagine that owing to the shape of the rhino horn, if such a horn is powdered and consumed a man’s virility is improved. I believe that it is scientifically correct to say that the human-developed package of chemicals known as Viagra has the desired effect. And it looks as though the same cocktail is available in Sri Lanka, in clones legally produced in India, at a fraction of the price that American men would pay.
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I don’t think that powdered rhino horn would ever have been used in this country, but this is a World Problem. Use Viagra instead of foolishly (and ineffectively) using rhino horn.
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Yes, in many areas homo sapien males must stop trying to have their way.
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Real Revolutionist / March 21, 2018
Sinhala man
It’s homo sapien female, not male probably demand them; whether rhino horn or Viagra.
Now with enhanced representation in local bodies & in the coming days in the parliament & PCs they’ll have extra power to dip their partners immensely in rhino horn or Viagra liquid before using.
OMG the humble, get ready!
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Sinhala_Man / March 22, 2018
In this article, Professor Hoole has said, “Old men . . . literally controlled 98+ percent of the seats in local authorities” and the proof is to be seen over and over again:
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Just see who has been entrusted with the responsibility to “somehow” satisfy the International Community:
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http://www.colombopage.com/archive_18A/Mar22_1521661100CH.php
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The Foreign Minister’s age (82, I think) is not even mentioned in his Wikipedia entry:
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilak_Marapana
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His Secondary Schooling is given – thank God not another Royalist, in fact my old school. Provided one toes the line these need not be obstacles – in fact a reasonably prestigious school is useful.
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Dr Sarath Amunugama we recognise as an intellectual, and his age (78 years) and school are given in the Wikpedia. But aren’t these people just too old;? Little wonder the International Community is unwilling to accept our claims on Human Rights.
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However, the worst blow to our trust in the government came with the report, by now confirmed with photographic evidence, that President Maithripala met with Gnanasara, who has not reported to the Courts where he is charged with serious crimes. Actually, we feel that he should not only be charged with more, but by now be in jail. No wonder all the cases against him are not expedited:
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http://www.srilankamirror.com/news/7682-gnanasara-thera-had-brief-meeting-with-president-in-japan-bbs
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The moment I saw “honest” Austin Fernando saying that there was only one monk in the OFFICIAL delegation, I began to have my suspicions, and we can see what readers feel:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/bbs-gnanasara-hobnobs-with-sirisena-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comments
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I had respect for My3, but how can I have it any more if soon after the attempted pogrom he consorts with criminals?I have always held that My3 is well-read (not being in English didn’t matter), and I’ve actually been proud that he rose from being a Grama Sevaka.
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AshyD / March 21, 2018
YES! 50% would probably greatly reduce thuggery and corruption…… hopefully.
Then ! Looking at Brazil, South Korea and some of our women MPs in Parliament especially from the deep South, what they would do. ONLY TIME WILL TELL.
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Sinhala_Man / March 21, 2018
Part Two
This is another balanced and courageous article by Prof. Hoole. When taken in conjunction with what Mahinda Deshapriya was reported yesterday to have said that we should not kid ourselves that only a few Sinhalese at this moment harbour Islamophobic ideas, we have proof that we DO at least have a truly independent Elections Commission.
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Mahinda Deshapriya was NOT happy with Islamophobia; he was drawing attention to the fact that it has to be actively countered. He has said that the climate is similar to 1983. Then the Sinhalese rampaged against the Tamils, but NOW REGRET having done so. Even so, he says with our attitude towards Muslims today.
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President’s Counsel Nalin Abayesekera is the THIRD member of the Elections Commission. An older and a quieter man, he is very concerned about the LEGALITY of what is done. That makes for a very balanced Commissioned, and one which will NOT follow the diktats of the Government, which wanted the Local Government Elections held in March (in anticipation of a good Maha harvest). The Commission scheduled it for January – if you care to remember the details. February 10th was owing to the delay caused by some Court Case.
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It was a secret ballot, but I have the feeling that not one member of the Commission wanted the Rajapaksas to do well. But every thinking person knew that the timing was going to help the Joint Opposition. Why did the Commission go ahead? NOT because they were three fools. It was because they respected the right of the people to decide. They probably knew that, collectively, the people would make wrong choices; perhaps they even warned, but they respected Democracy.
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Ben Hurling / March 21, 2018
Thanks a lot, Prof. Hoole!
For sharing something positive about our much-troubled country. At long last. We must take this initiative all the way. Let us make sure women from minorities are properly reflected in all branches and levels of governance in SL.
Cheers!
PS:
God’s SELF-APPOINTED, CONTROL FREAKS on earth, conservative religious men of all religious faiths, in-particular ISLAMIC LUNATICS are very nervous, even fearful of women’s gradual rise to EQUALITY in Sri Lanka. They will do all they can to hinder this progress. Make sure Sri Lanka’s daughters born within Islam are not segregated, blocked from participation in society and treated like incompetent, untrustworthy, 3rd class citizens, who cannot decide for themselves. DISMANTLE MMDA!
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Sinhala_Man / March 21, 2018
Dear Ben Hurling,
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Agree.
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How I wish I had the ability to express ideas as well as you do.
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Native Vedda / March 21, 2018
Ben Hurling
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“Make sure Sri Lanka’s daughters born within Islam are not segregated, “
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You sound like an old pervert.
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Sinhala_Man / March 22, 2018
NV,
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Surely not if the entire sentence is read.
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Native Vedda / March 23, 2018
Sinhala_Man
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I also read the full sentence.
Does it matter whether she covered her back with qualified sentence?
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Amarasiri / March 21, 2018
Prof. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole,
RE: Government’s Women’s Quota A Total Success
“What complications? Stuff and nonsense! Old men who literally controlled 98+ percent of the seats in local authorities are resentful that they now have only 75%, and that the people really voted for the women who were elected.”
Thanks for the write-up. This is a positive development.
Indeed complications for the men, especially the Para–Muslim politicians, who are under the Para-Ulama, Para- Moulanvis and Para-Imams, and their life is further complicated by the women, in addition to by the Para-Sinhala “Buddhist” racists.
Saudi women do not need to wear black abayas, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/03/20/saudi-women-do-not-need-wear-black-abayas-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman/441297002/
“The laws are very clear and stipulated in the laws of Shariah (Islamic law): that women wear decent, respectful clothing, like men,” Prince Mohammed said in an interview with the CBS show “60 Minutes.”
“This, however, does not particularly specify a black abaya or a black head cover,” he added. “The decision is entirely left for women to decide what type of decent and respectful attire she chooses to wear.”
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Kumaran / March 22, 2018
Excellent! But PLEASE please tell me one good thing that either a woman or man of the Bandaranayake family did for Ceylon/ Sri Lanka!! Woman, man or whatever. What did they DO for this poor nation?!
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Jim softy / March 21, 2018
women’s quota is important for Tamils Tamils and Muslims because they have problems witgh women but not Sinhala. See the photo you like one thief is brought back to the stage. I heard he wants to contesat MEda Mahanuwara. that is what you people talk at the expense of all the values, women quote, and a state……………….. are important. I heard you want to contest, Muladuwa, Akkarapathtuwa, weligama or Dedigama
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Kumar R. / March 21, 2018
Jeevan,
Certainly the initiative to encourage greater access to women in the political leadership process in the country is commendable, and its seeming success to date has to be appropriately recognized.
However, I am sure you would appreciate that such championing of women’s rights by you continue to remain under a rather thick cloud as nothing but an over-reach or ambitious extended-stretch by you wanting to bury your own women-related sentiments you have very clearly expressed in these columns not long ago, particularly of Sinhala women of a certain suburb of the capital!
When you coined the words together to berate other old men saying “These men treated women with disrespect” was there even a sliver of self-shame in your own conscience? Just curious!
Intellects and brave men (especially those aspiring to pontificate) would stand and own up to their positions held in error – not choose to run away from them!
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Sinhala_Man / March 22, 2018
Dear Kumar R,
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You are right about the last two articles by Jeevan Hoole being disciplined and you have rightly praised this development of his writing.
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However, you flatter with faint praise, only to soon after condemn Jeevan over what he had said about a year ago.
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You address him directly by name, yet you have not told us (presumably, not even Jeevan knows your identity) who you are. Am I to pursue this to sow you where you promised “to show all”.
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Kumar R. / March 22, 2018
S_M,
I address Jeevan by his name only because it was his choice to declare his name. If someone opts for personal limelight from contribution, along with the resulting glow, they take the responsibility to absorb the downside of criticism as well, don’t you think?
So, if you can’t handle substantiating your views on their merits, and need lame excuses to hide under or side step, go ahead, be my guest!
Neither you nor Jeevan, or anyone else need to know me other than as Kumar R. If you have an issue with that, for the umpteenth time let me suggest you check with CT why they provide both declared and anonymous contributions.
Look at your response for instance in “You are right about the last two articles by Jeevan Hoole being disciplined and you have rightly praised this development of his writing.” See – neither you nor Jeevan needed to know who I am to appreciate the value of my view – right?
Best to you.
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Laksiri Fernando / March 21, 2018
This is great news. Good work by the Election Commission. The government should not flinch under pressure on the women’s issue. This can be one breakthrough for the future. Thanks Ratnajeevan for your clear thoughts.
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Jim softy / March 21, 2018
I heard the no confidence motion is related to one important Minister from Meda Mahanuwara who is used to kalati kadanda. He has his suraliyak from a near by village and/or near parakrama Samudraya. HE is waiting to become RANil in case Ranil leaves. but, it is said that he is used to remove plates from the Parliamentary canteen. Very recently, he had plans to move with Mahinda Rajapakse too. So, thngs may not work the way they expected. Mangala Samaraweera is still interested and say even though we love the same woman and drink the same bottle we are different politicians.
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ramona therese fernando / March 21, 2018
All the ladies are standing except for Rosie who is like the Queeen of Korakticus.
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Salma Junaideen / March 21, 2018
Thank you Mr. Rajan Hoole for your article. Voters are not averse to voting for women. How did the Muslim women fare in this election. Muslim parties were opposed to women’s quota.
Muslim parties and Muslim men do not want to see Muslim women in politics. They quote archaic traditions to discourage women from public space. They do not see the reality in that Muslim women are gradually occupying spaces which were reserved for men.
These Muslim parties do not want to support MMDA reforms in public. It will be interesting to find out how many Muslim women were elected and how many were nominated.
It will be appreciated if this debate, when it focus on Muslim women, it does not go into low levels but an academic approach is commendable
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Amarasiri / March 21, 2018
Salma Junaideen,
“These Muslim parties do not want to support MMDA reforms in public. It will be interesting to find out how many Muslim women were elected and how many were nominated.”
Remember, Rome was not built in a day. Keep hacking!.
“Women Are Absolutely Equal To Men”: Saudi Crown Prince
Despite ease in restrictions, women in Saudi Arabia are still bound by guardianship laws that give male relatives control over aspects of their lives.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/women-are-absolutely-equal-to-men-saudi-crown-prince-1825785
On Sunday, CBS News programme “60 Minutes” aired an episode about the prince and where he hopes to take Saudi Arabia.
When asked if women were equal to men, the Crown Prince said: “Absolutely. We are all human beings and there is no difference.”
He acknowledged that Saudi Arabia has been dominated by an “ultraconservative interpretation of Islam” that was wary of non-Muslims, deprived women of basic rights and constricted social life, the New York Times reported.
“We were victims, especially my generation that suffered from this a great deal,” he said about conservatism that spread through the kingdom after 1979.
Bin Salman’s rise to power has been accompanied by an easing of restrictions on women’s dress and an expansion of their role in the workforce. He said the government was working on policies to ensure equal pay.
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Champa / March 21, 2018
Is that it? What about the rights of women and children to be safe at home, at school, on the road and at the workplace? Child abuse, molestation and rape cases are unbelievably on the rise for the past 3 years. Children are abandoned daily basis at home, on the road and in front of houses. We already have 3 women in top places, i.e. the Minister of Justice – Thalatha Athukorale, the Minister of Women’s and Children’s Affairs- Chandrani Bandara and the State Minister for Child Affairs – Vijayakala Maheshwari. What have they done for the safety of women and children? Nothing was done to relieve victims from trauma. Increasing the number of women in politics won’t solve the problem. They should feel the heartbeat of women and children in need of protection. Our children should be protected from men who act like wild animals. Nobody knows what diseases these men have. We have serious issues with regard to the safety of women and children in this country. I have never heard any woman in politics raising her voice demanding the government to bring in new laws to protect women and children. Slave UNP government only promoted LGBT, sex, alcohol, prostitution, hard drugs/designer drugs and condoms for the past 3 years. Only thing they achieved was giving birth to a weird psychopathic vulnerable society. Female candidates who contested from cold hearted psychopathic UNP who have no shame, remorse or empathy should be sent for a brain check.
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I strongly believe that PR system is best for Sri Lanka which allows voters to elect their choice directly. Mixed electoral system takes away the democratic right of the people to elect the best and discard the rotten and the greedy. The corrupt Parliament should be reformed first.
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Sinhala_Man / March 21, 2018
Dear Champa,
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One has to begin somewhere.
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Let us grant that this is a good beginning, but much has still to be done.
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Yes, it may well be that few of the women elected is in a position to decide on their own. The men in their circle may decide what these women are to say and do.
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What has been done was very necessary, although that may not always be obvious. It’s like Banda’s 1956 victory. It was necessary to dethrone English, and empower the Swabasha users. But that 1956 Election Result has been demonstrated by many to have had unfortunate consequences.
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Why did we scorn the need for a World Language? Why did we laugh away the rights of the Tamil people?
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Let us recognise the mistakes made by us.
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Champa / March 21, 2018
Sinhala Man
The ratio for females was based on the popular belief that women are less or not corrupt at all than men in Sri Lanka. True. But how about their husbands, sons and fathers? Are they also corrupt free? This system is stupid. There were over 55 cases run upto the election involving female candidates violating election laws with another large number of cases involving their husbands and siblings violating election laws in support of their wives and sisters. One female candidate in the North was arrested with fake ballot papers who has no history of cheating. Some female candidates were attacked by men and some even by their own party supporters.
First women should be educated of their rights, the need to stand against corruption and abide by the law despite pressure from their immediate family members and their political parties. Otherwise corrupt UNP and SLFP will only breed corrupt female politicians.
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Native Vedda / March 22, 2018
Sinhala_Man
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Please read Champa’s typing carefully.
Champa blames the women and children for what the men are guilty of.
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Let see Champa’s list:
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What about the rights of women and children to be safe (Who commit crimes men or women?)
Child abuse, molestation and rape ( I rarely hear women raping men).
Children are abandoned daily basis at home, on the road and in front of houses.(Where are the absentee fathers?
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“What have they done for the safety of women and children?”
Declare 24 hour men only curfew. Keep them in house arrest and let them stay in the house. Champa conveniently forgets what had happened to women and children from 5th April 1971 to 9th January 2015. Wars are mostly declared, directed, conducted and mostly men killed and maimed fellow human being.
1971 was an exception however the weeping widow was not part of the sisterhood. I suspect Sirimao used men toilets to fit in with the crowd.
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” Slave UNP government only promoted LGBT, sex, alcohol, prostitution, hard drugs/designer drugs and condoms for the past 3 years. “
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I wonder where Champa lived prior to January 2015.
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Champa / March 22, 2018
Keyboard Vedda, the very stupid!
Learn to read and understand a simple comment.
Of course I blame the 3 women in Justice and Women’s and Children Affairs who have the political and legal authority/power for their negligence to bring in new laws to protect women and children.
The existing law is lenient towards criminals, abusers and rapists.
There should be protective laws for women and children from abuse, violence, exploitation and neglect.
It is stupid to talk about pre-2015 when people elected a new government anticipating a better future for the country. See what they did? The previous government didn’t “promote” or tried to “legalize” LGBT, sex among pre-teens/teenagers, condoms, abortion, alcohol and prostitution.
I have talked about war and its impact many times. My this comment is about the rights of women and children to be protected from abuse, rape, violence, exploitation and neglect.
Try to do some IQ to improve your ability to understand. When I say the “rights of women and children to be safe” there is no need for me to elaborate who commit the crime against women and children. Anybody except a Keyboard Vedda can understand it is men. Throw the keyboard and take the bow and arrow again. At least you will be good in that.
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Sinhala_Man / March 24, 2018
Yes, NV, I get your point.
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However, Champa is a thinking person (a man, I’m sure). I always take his views seriously.
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Very different from “Jim Softy”.
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However, my mind is rarely as sharp as yours, and the cautions that you give me are appreciated.
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Champa / March 21, 2018
I am not against women entering into politics. But contesting from corrupt UNP/SLFP/SLPP will not serve the purpose of women entering into politics.
Sri Lanka’s women should form “a new league” and contest from that league as genuine candidates with integrity in order to turn a new leaf in Sri Lanka’s politics.
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Thanos / March 21, 2018
Women are one half of humanity! There are more women in SL than men. Ideally, all political parties should (eventually) be forced to use a 1-to-1 ratio during nominations. Seat allocation does not have to be that strict because a Man can vote for a woman and vice-versa, but there should be a minimum seat llocation as well. I also think if the President is a Man, there sould be vice-president whose a woman and vice-versa. Same with the Prime Minister and many other important government institutions. Nominating only men or vast majority being men leads to an unbalance society. During ancient times (at least in SL) even though the Kings were the rulers, the Mother and the Queen had great influence over the King. Kings often seek the views of the their mothers and their Queens and not just the ministers and generals when it comes to governance, war, etc. The feminine view was critical to maintain a balance. Ancient Sinhalaese families were matriarchal. Boys (up to puberty) grew up among groups or a community of women. Once they reached puberty they are chased out of the house (like elephants) and they have to become strong men. But the early feminine influence is critical.
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Gitanjali Marcelline / March 21, 2018
Unless there is equal representation, it cannot be called a success.
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Real Revolutionist / March 21, 2018
Githanjali Marcelline
As a matter of fact, it must be close to fifty-fifty as in the population & provided Muslim & Tamil women as well given equal treatment & further it must go beyond our territory, to all the countries if to be perfect.
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Gitanjali Marcelline / March 22, 2018
Real Revolutionist.
It should be no more, no less but fifty fifty. And totally agree about Muslim and Tamil women also being given equal treatment.
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Kumar R. / March 21, 2018
Gitanjali,
The quota system for better representation can be defended only as an interim measure to initiate and encourage breaking out of old habits of domination if not suppression.
However, quota based nominations will remain stigmatized until merit based selections take over – and then, if women’s presence rise up to perhaps even 75%, so be it.
There is no reason to artificially, preemptively target (non-merit based) equality, implying 50:50.
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Sinhala_Man / March 24, 2018
You are quite right in this, Kumar R. Positive Discrimination (i.e. “quota system”) should never be a permanent feature. See what it did to University admissions.
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Forget the grievances of the Tamils regarding this. Think of how SOME who have the means to organise themselves, sit A. Levels from “disadvantaged” outstation areas. Such policies have been major contributors to the lowering of standards in Universities.
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Amidst all this euphoria for “perfect equality”, let us not forget that Nature has made men and women suited to somewhat different roles owing to the need to propagate the species. It is also probably true that evolution (that takes hundreds of generations, and I feel that no rigorous scientific study has yet been done) makes those with differing DNAs (i.e. races) better adapted to certain occupations than others. But one has to be careful not to drive such considerations too far – Hitler, and all others racists, do so.
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Two obvious unfortunate results are to be seen already: 1. The less suited for survival produce more off-spring owing to the noble provisions of welfarism. That is the rich have fewer children than the poor. 2. Biologically it is desirable that youngish adults (for humans below 25 years) should be having children. But the most gifted often study well in to their thirties.
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Systems distort when they become rigid and fossilised.
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Jane Doe / March 21, 2018
Congratulations to all on achieving a set goal. The parliament too would eventually become more colorful and less noisy.
Yet, what difference is it going to make in this country? Are women less racist? Worse during the eighty three riots women were more vocal in their racism all round and my experience is a female boss is almost always nasty to competent females lower in rank at the work place.
Ask Professor Carlo Fonseka he will tell you their genetic traits encoded in the female DNA and their fight in selection of males and their notice even after menopause.
Sad for competent women in this country, I would predict based on personal experience.
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The Sinopian / March 21, 2018
Rubbish – women don’t have the balls for it
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Real woman / March 21, 2018
Sounds like a comment from a pussy who only knows to pussyfoot around.
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Real woman / March 22, 2018
Stuck for words? Cat got your tongue?
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nalmen / March 21, 2018
there is no problem with the 25 percent
the problem is with the huge increase in numbers whom t he public has to pay for.
they should have stuck to the wards only without adding the prop rep people then the numbers would have been much less
all we needed to know was who represented us
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K.Pillai / March 21, 2018
We have been corralled into an enclosure by vertical thinking politicians with limited foresight. We need some lateral thinkers.
The imposed gender mix is bound to change the fundamental thinking and lead to an improvement in the political landscape. The change may not be immediate but will happen.
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Pygmalion / March 21, 2018
Rauff Hakeem wants to go back to the old system[only PR] so as to increase the number of Muslims being elected.
The cut-off point for PR was reduced by Premadasa,on a request made by the then leader of the SRILANKA MUSLIM CONGRESS M.H.M.Ashraff. This was to facilitate
more Muslims to be elected.
The Electoral System should not be tinkered to suit a particular community!
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Champa / March 21, 2018
Pygmallon
The new mixed electoral system has already done that. The increase in the number of members in LG bodies has mostly occurred where the majority is minority. Eg: in Colombo, hill country, North and the East. In many areas, boundary delimitation was carried out by making majority Sinhalese becoming minorities in several villages.
Sinhalese population has arbitrarily made small by dividing them disproportionately by the mixed electoral system making minority Tamil and Muslim votes as the deciding authority. Before the LG election, I remember writing rigmaroles about this injustice to Sinhalese.
In 2015, I warned of a possible gerrymandering in the electoral system based on a governing political party. It has happened but not based on a political party but based on racism and separatism. If the next Parliamentary Election is held under the mixed electoral system, an unbelievably large number of Tamils and Muslims will be elected to the Parliament. As anybody observed, there was no big hue and cry against the new mixed system by Tamil and Muslim politicians before the election. The reason is the delimitation process that has been formulated in their favour.
Those who formulated the boundary delimitation were mostly Tamils and Muslims. In addition to Faizer Mustapha, the Minister, 3 out of 5 members of the Delimitation Committee are Muslims and Tamils. Little wonder all 4 of them giving priority to their own minority ethnicities with only 2 Sinhalese in the committee.
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President promised to hold an All Party Conference (APC) on the Boundary Delimitation but he is busy in going around the world generously offering Sri Lanka’s assets and opportunities to foreign governments without paying adequate attention to pressing local issues.
Contd’ 1/2
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SJ / March 21, 2018
Pygs
It is not just RH wanting to go back to the old system. The Hill Country Tamil parties are in a worse plight.
The problem for RH is not more from his nationality but more on his party ticket, so that he will have some clout in the government to come.
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Would you not agree that there should be some proportion to the population of a community. The FPP system denies it to minorities? The N&E Tamils have no representation outside N&E, although a large percentage is outside the N&E.
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There are highly democratic ways to accommodate small groups not just nationalities, but social groups and political groups. but that is if this country wishes to be a democracy.
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Poor Tenda / March 21, 2018
This is even without counting Ranil, Mangala, Sagara, Akila and several others. Quite an achievement. Now we need to find some ‘IT’s to complete the LGBIT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Intersex and Transgendered) pentagon, and to keep company to the Kandy governor! ‘Ane anichchan Kane Kaduklan’!
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whywhy / March 21, 2018
An assessment needs to be done on the success of Hunting spree of Muslims
from Aluthgama to Ginthota to Ampara and to Kandy as well ! And the
success of Ranil’s long time dream of Independent Police Commission that
wholesale-enjoyed watching a crime scene with the help of newly found
Independence !
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Rajash / March 21, 2018
well have seen women councillors brandishing guns so we are in the right track
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Real Revolutionist / March 21, 2018
Just 25%
Unreasonable.
Population approximately 50% men & 50% women so make MPs too fifty-fifty & give Tamil& Muslim women also their due quota according to ethnic ratio,
Women must fight for it.
Make it a rule for all the countries, unless other countries will try to tackle us through women.
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Douglas / March 21, 2018
AshyD: “50% would probably greatly reduce thuggery and corruption….hopefully” you said. Yes, yes.. We saw it very well demonstrated at Koswatta Junction in Battaramulla the other day when the wife of a Provincial Council member confronted a bus driver over road rage. The trouble here is, many of our people “Fear” or “Refrain” from speaking about problems created by women, especially the wives and other female relatives of politicians who generally hide behind the curtain and do all the manipulations to grab power by their spouses so that they can have a comfortable and luxury life styles. A good example was the appointment of Nishantha Wickramasinghe as the Chairman of Sri Lankan Airline at the insistence of the sister – the wife of the then President, MR. Does anyone with an iota of reasoning or justification can “Justify” that appointment? How many such females (wives, daughters, relatives) are working behind the scenes as Private Secretaries, Coordinating Secretaries and in many other positions greatly influencing the decision making processes relating to public matters. Yet, there is another class of these females who can even “Secure” luxuries worth millions from high ranking Ministers in Government who are not “sleeping” on matters of such favors. I consider all these percentages of “compulsory” nominations an “Eye Wash” and a “Farce”. Let everyone, (men & women) irrespective of gender enjoy EQUAL RIGHT to enter the political arena and contest elections on a “Shoulder to Shoulder” platform along with men. All the political parties must adopt a CHANGE of attitude and encourage and promote the female, (without this “Percentage Drama”) to enjoy EQUAL rights to enter political platform and contest elections on an EQUAL basis side by side with male contestants. In my opinion this “Percentage” theory of DIVISION must stop and FREE the females to enjoy EQUAL RIGHTS.
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Jim softy / March 21, 2018
Are azll these to clean the Rathupussellawa Garbage pile. So many and only six women.
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SJ / March 21, 2018
The EC has enabled the number of women representatives look ‘respectable’ although below target. That was possible because of the 40% who are not directly elected.
The action of the EC is welcome, but the problem is more fundamental.
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That 10.55% of the directly elected are women despite a smaller percentage of candidates being women is not something to be thrilled about .
If the vast majority of the women voters were determined to elect women, it would have been possible to have more than 50% women directly elected, even with 5% women contesting (provided that more than half the wards had at least one woman candidate, which I guess is the case in the LC elections).
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There is still reluctance on the part of women to contest and the electorate to vote women.
That needs addressing, and addressing it will take us to territory outside electoral politics.
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Sinhala_Man / March 24, 2018
Agree absolutely, SJ. That mind of yours is razor sharp.
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One can understand only a few women wanting to contest, but why is it that women seem reluctant to vote for other women?
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As you say, finding answers to that question takes us in to other realms.
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Jim softy / March 22, 2018
There is another Story circling in Sri lanka. On eprominenet Srilankan politician is saying that the Song “RUK Aththanan Mala Mudune” was first sung by tghe Tamil Poet JESUDAASAN. It has a long story behind it.
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Native Vedda / March 22, 2018
Jim softy dimwit
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Could you throw some more light on “Tamil Poet JESUDAASAN.”.
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Jim softy / March 23, 2018
There are nice singhala songs that says “mega duthayak se “, Indrakeelayak lesa mama…”. like songs sung by amaradeeva like people. JEsudaasan had thought that he could write those magnificiant songs. How ever he had not been able to. I heard he was willing to wrtie for any money just say Tem rupees.
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SJ / March 22, 2018
Wonder what happened to my two comments.
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Percy / March 22, 2018
Hiru’s knickers will be doing the dance of the seven veils while Rosy May be a bit off colour. Are Burghers too be given the same dispensation?Suggest a bit of massage to the labia majora.
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Native Vedda / March 22, 2018
Percy the pervert
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Some perverts beg, borrow, steal, collect, treasure or love to wear knickers. You sound like one of them.
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Percy / March 23, 2018
Demented Tamil Veddah
You seem to be an expert on knickers.What do you do with them. ? Hiruknickers knickers are available down Kolonnawa way. They come with or without jam. No don’t salivate yet. Hold your horses you master baiter.
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Native Vedda / March 23, 2018
Percy the dirty old pervert
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“They come with or without jam.”
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Well you need no further evidence of your sexual perversity.
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Pygmalion / March 24, 2018
Sinhala Man.
Your mind is sharp as well,
if not sharper than that of SJ!
…..As you say, finding answers to that question takes us in to other realms….
I dread to think, what will be in store for us, when the population of women in this country will be around 60%.
The three of us would have to take things lying down!
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