• Latest
  • Trending

Electoral success of non-career politicians is a phenomenal change in Sri Lanka

August 14, 2020
Review of ‘Capturing Cricket – Steve Waugh in India’:  Journey of a Waugh photographer

Review of ‘Capturing Cricket – Steve Waugh in India’: Journey of a Waugh photographer

March 6, 2021
Thrills and perils in being an honest and competent Revenue Intelligence officer

Thrills and perils in being an honest and competent Revenue Intelligence officer

March 6, 2021
Rich countries having  only 16% of the world’s population, took 60% of vaccine doses

Rich countries having only 16% of the world’s population, took 60% of vaccine doses

March 5, 2021
Lanka asks UNHRC to delete reference to the burial issue even as fresh protests erupt

Lanka asks UNHRC to delete reference to the burial issue even as fresh protests erupt

March 5, 2021
Pakistan Air Chief in Sri Lanka for Lankan Air Force’s 70 th.Anniversary

Pakistan Air Chief in Sri Lanka for Lankan Air Force’s 70 th.Anniversary

March 5, 2021
Image credits - Gamer.lk

E-Sports a key strategic pillar of national sports council sports strategy in Sri Lanka

March 5, 2021
Image credits - Claudio Schwarz / Unsplash

Twitter may let users charge their followers for special access

March 5, 2021
Image credits - [Shahzeb Akber/EPA]

Pakistan Super League suspended due to COVID cases

March 5, 2021
Image credits - Glenn Carstens-Peters / Unsplash

‘They show porn’: India’s top court favours controls on web shows

March 5, 2021
Image credits - Hakan Nural / Unsplash

Bharat Biotech’s COVID-19 shot 81% effective, Indian firm’s interim data shows

March 5, 2021
Image credits - Hakan Nural / Unsplash

COVID-19 vaccine confidence grows as side effect worries fade

March 5, 2021
Colombo. Image credits - newsin.asia

Colombo city faces poor oxygen percentage threat

March 5, 2021
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Sunday, March 7, 2021
  • Login
  • Register
No Result
View All Result
NewsIn.Asia
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Thrills and perils in being an honest and competent Revenue Intelligence officer

    Thrills and perils in being an honest and competent Revenue Intelligence officer

    Rich countries having  only 16% of the world’s population, took 60% of vaccine doses

    Rich countries having only 16% of the world’s population, took 60% of vaccine doses

    Lanka asks UNHRC to delete reference to the burial issue even as fresh protests erupt

    Lanka asks UNHRC to delete reference to the burial issue even as fresh protests erupt

    Pakistan Air Chief in Sri Lanka for Lankan Air Force’s 70 th.Anniversary

    Pakistan Air Chief in Sri Lanka for Lankan Air Force’s 70 th.Anniversary

    Image credits - Gamer.lk

    E-Sports a key strategic pillar of national sports council sports strategy in Sri Lanka

    Image credits - [Shahzeb Akber/EPA]

    Pakistan Super League suspended due to COVID cases

    Image credits - Glenn Carstens-Peters / Unsplash

    ‘They show porn’: India’s top court favours controls on web shows

    Image credits - Hakan Nural / Unsplash

    Bharat Biotech’s COVID-19 shot 81% effective, Indian firm’s interim data shows

    Colombo. Image credits - newsin.asia

    Colombo city faces poor oxygen percentage threat

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United States
    Image credits - Claudio Schwarz / Unsplash

    Twitter may let users charge their followers for special access

    Image credits - Hakan Nural / Unsplash

    COVID-19 vaccine confidence grows as side effect worries fade

    Strong 7.2 magnitude earthquake shakes New Zealand, tsunami warning issued

    Strong 7.2 magnitude earthquake shakes New Zealand, tsunami warning issued

    Image credits - shoroq / Unsplash

    Saudi prince pushes on with $500 billion megacity as U.S. points the finger over Khashoggi killing

    © Provided by Quartz FILE PHOTO: Google CEO Pichai speaks at El Centro College in Dallas

    Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai is the most overpaid CEO in the US

    Image credits - Daniel Schludi / Unsplash

    World Bank readies COVID-19 vaccine funds for around 30 African countries

    Image credits - Meg Jerrard / Unsplash

    Australia building world’s first platypus sanctuary

    Image credits - Sangga Rima Roman Selia / Unsplash

    Global CO2 emissions bounce back to pre-COVID levels, study finds

    Image credits - Tasnim News Agency; Mohammad Hassanzadeh

    Iran’s only female Olympic medallist to compete under white flag in Tokyo

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    Image credits - Gamer.lk

    E-Sports a key strategic pillar of national sports council sports strategy in Sri Lanka

    Image credits - Glenn Carstens-Peters / Unsplash

    ‘They show porn’: India’s top court favours controls on web shows

    Image credits - Joe Shlabotnik / Flickr

    Key winners at the 2021 Golden Globes

    Image credits - Gage Skidmore

    Chadwick Boseman Wins Best Actor at 2021 Golden Globes for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

    The film, a tale of an adolescent boy fighting human-eating demons, has amassed $313 million since opening on Oct. 16. © Koyoharu Gotoge/Shueisha, Aniplex, ufotable

    Japan anime movie ‘Demon Slayer’ lands in US cinemas

    Bengali Adhunik song Bela Hole Absan

    Bengali Adhunik song Bela Hole Absan

    Image credits - Steven Cordes / Unsplash

    Gotta catch ’em all: Pandemic sends prices soaring for Pokemon cards

    Image credits - Fixelgraphy / Unsplash

    Spotify to expand into more than 80 new markets including Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Maldives

    Image credits - AdamBMorgan / big-ashb

    Grammy-winning duo Daft Punk announces split after 28 years

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    Image credits - Hakan Nural / Unsplash

    COVID-19 vaccine confidence grows as side effect worries fade

    Iranaitivu residents protest against COVID-19 burials

    Iranaitivu residents protest against COVID-19 burials

    Image credits - Neven Krcmarek / Unsplash

    Maezawa wants you: Japan billionaire seeks ‘crew’ for moon trip

    Image credits - Mark Paton / Unsplash

    One in four people will have hearing problems by 2050: WHO

    Disciplined societies may have tackled COVID better, but there is a downside in all

    China, U.S. should lift COVID-19 travel bans if herd immunity reached, Chinese epidemiologist says

    Image credits - Slash Gear

    Nestle expands plant-based products with new vegan KitKat bar

    India-made COVID-19 vaccine in Ghana

    India-made COVID-19 vaccine in Ghana

    Image credits - Stefan Spassov / Unsplash

    Japan appoints ‘minister of loneliness’ to help people home alone

    Image credits - freestocks / Unsplash

    Singapore trials Smartphone app offering mini check-ups

    First human case of H5N8 bird flu reported in Russia. Image credits - CDC

    First human case of H5N8 bird flu reported in Russia

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Image credits - Claudio Schwarz / Unsplash

    Twitter may let users charge their followers for special access

    Image credits - Benjamin Raffetseder / Unsplash

    China’s Xiaomi adds manufacturing muscle in India to boost phone production

    Image credits - freestocks / Unsplash

    Singapore trials Smartphone app offering mini check-ups

    Image credits - Fixelgraphy / Unsplash

    Spotify to expand into more than 80 new markets including Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Maldives

    Image credits - Nicole de Andrade

    Tech Tips: Signal lets users create groups with up to 1000 members, here is how to create one

    Whatsapp / Pic - India Today

    WhatsApp to switch off messages for all who reject new terms

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Thrills and perils in being an honest and competent Revenue Intelligence officer

    Thrills and perils in being an honest and competent Revenue Intelligence officer

    Rich countries having  only 16% of the world’s population, took 60% of vaccine doses

    Rich countries having only 16% of the world’s population, took 60% of vaccine doses

    Lanka asks UNHRC to delete reference to the burial issue even as fresh protests erupt

    Lanka asks UNHRC to delete reference to the burial issue even as fresh protests erupt

    Pakistan Air Chief in Sri Lanka for Lankan Air Force’s 70 th.Anniversary

    Pakistan Air Chief in Sri Lanka for Lankan Air Force’s 70 th.Anniversary

    Image credits - Gamer.lk

    E-Sports a key strategic pillar of national sports council sports strategy in Sri Lanka

    Image credits - [Shahzeb Akber/EPA]

    Pakistan Super League suspended due to COVID cases

    Image credits - Glenn Carstens-Peters / Unsplash

    ‘They show porn’: India’s top court favours controls on web shows

    Image credits - Hakan Nural / Unsplash

    Bharat Biotech’s COVID-19 shot 81% effective, Indian firm’s interim data shows

    Colombo. Image credits - newsin.asia

    Colombo city faces poor oxygen percentage threat

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United States
    Image credits - Claudio Schwarz / Unsplash

    Twitter may let users charge their followers for special access

    Image credits - Hakan Nural / Unsplash

    COVID-19 vaccine confidence grows as side effect worries fade

    Strong 7.2 magnitude earthquake shakes New Zealand, tsunami warning issued

    Strong 7.2 magnitude earthquake shakes New Zealand, tsunami warning issued

    Image credits - shoroq / Unsplash

    Saudi prince pushes on with $500 billion megacity as U.S. points the finger over Khashoggi killing

    © Provided by Quartz FILE PHOTO: Google CEO Pichai speaks at El Centro College in Dallas

    Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai is the most overpaid CEO in the US

    Image credits - Daniel Schludi / Unsplash

    World Bank readies COVID-19 vaccine funds for around 30 African countries

    Image credits - Meg Jerrard / Unsplash

    Australia building world’s first platypus sanctuary

    Image credits - Sangga Rima Roman Selia / Unsplash

    Global CO2 emissions bounce back to pre-COVID levels, study finds

    Image credits - Tasnim News Agency; Mohammad Hassanzadeh

    Iran’s only female Olympic medallist to compete under white flag in Tokyo

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    Image credits - Gamer.lk

    E-Sports a key strategic pillar of national sports council sports strategy in Sri Lanka

    Image credits - Glenn Carstens-Peters / Unsplash

    ‘They show porn’: India’s top court favours controls on web shows

    Image credits - Joe Shlabotnik / Flickr

    Key winners at the 2021 Golden Globes

    Image credits - Gage Skidmore

    Chadwick Boseman Wins Best Actor at 2021 Golden Globes for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

    The film, a tale of an adolescent boy fighting human-eating demons, has amassed $313 million since opening on Oct. 16. © Koyoharu Gotoge/Shueisha, Aniplex, ufotable

    Japan anime movie ‘Demon Slayer’ lands in US cinemas

    Bengali Adhunik song Bela Hole Absan

    Bengali Adhunik song Bela Hole Absan

    Image credits - Steven Cordes / Unsplash

    Gotta catch ’em all: Pandemic sends prices soaring for Pokemon cards

    Image credits - Fixelgraphy / Unsplash

    Spotify to expand into more than 80 new markets including Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Maldives

    Image credits - AdamBMorgan / big-ashb

    Grammy-winning duo Daft Punk announces split after 28 years

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    Image credits - Hakan Nural / Unsplash

    COVID-19 vaccine confidence grows as side effect worries fade

    Iranaitivu residents protest against COVID-19 burials

    Iranaitivu residents protest against COVID-19 burials

    Image credits - Neven Krcmarek / Unsplash

    Maezawa wants you: Japan billionaire seeks ‘crew’ for moon trip

    Image credits - Mark Paton / Unsplash

    One in four people will have hearing problems by 2050: WHO

    Disciplined societies may have tackled COVID better, but there is a downside in all

    China, U.S. should lift COVID-19 travel bans if herd immunity reached, Chinese epidemiologist says

    Image credits - Slash Gear

    Nestle expands plant-based products with new vegan KitKat bar

    India-made COVID-19 vaccine in Ghana

    India-made COVID-19 vaccine in Ghana

    Image credits - Stefan Spassov / Unsplash

    Japan appoints ‘minister of loneliness’ to help people home alone

    Image credits - freestocks / Unsplash

    Singapore trials Smartphone app offering mini check-ups

    First human case of H5N8 bird flu reported in Russia. Image credits - CDC

    First human case of H5N8 bird flu reported in Russia

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Image credits - Claudio Schwarz / Unsplash

    Twitter may let users charge their followers for special access

    Image credits - Benjamin Raffetseder / Unsplash

    China’s Xiaomi adds manufacturing muscle in India to boost phone production

    Image credits - freestocks / Unsplash

    Singapore trials Smartphone app offering mini check-ups

    Image credits - Fixelgraphy / Unsplash

    Spotify to expand into more than 80 new markets including Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Maldives

    Image credits - Nicole de Andrade

    Tech Tips: Signal lets users create groups with up to 1000 members, here is how to create one

    Whatsapp / Pic - India Today

    WhatsApp to switch off messages for all who reject new terms

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
No Result
View All Result
NewsIn.Asia
No Result
View All Result
Home Politics

Electoral success of non-career politicians is a phenomenal change in Sri Lanka

The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) had fielded 16 members of two professional bodies and a dozen of them got elected, outperforming traditional, entrenched political candidates.

Editor by Editor
August 14, 2020
in Politics, Recommend, Sri Lanka
Reading Time: 4min read
1 0
25
SHARES
Share on WhatsApp

By Kelum Bandara/Daily Mirror

Colombo, August 13: The results of the August 5 Parliamentary Elections reflected on new political dynamics in Sri Lanka, be it in the north and the east, or outside.    Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, polled a resounding number of votes in all the areas bar the north and the east.  The percentage was above 70 in some areas.

The traditional political landscape has witnessed a clear shift given the way SLPP voters have marked their preferential votes this time around. Voters had limited choices in marking their preferences for their representatives since they had to choose three members only from among those nominated by the respective parties only.   There was no choice beyond.

Subject to such limitations, the voters who exercised their franchise at this election have tried to seek a departure from traditional politics at varying degrees in different electoral districts of the country. As far as the SLPP is concerned, the people have made it a point to infuse new blood into parliamentary politics. The SLPP allocated slots for such newcomers on its nominations lists. And they are the ones who were originally identified with the professionals’ wing called ‘Viyath Maga’ and ‘Yuthukama organization’, which advocated the presidential candidacy to President Rajapaksa last year.

Nominations were given to 16 members of these two bodies, and a dozen of them got elected outperforming traditional, entrenched candidates or relegating them to lower positions on the selected lists. This is a phenomenal change in Sri Lankan politics where people are disillusioned with traditional politicians due to their perceived failures to live up to public expectations.   In fact, Gotabaya Rajapaksa is the first apolitical President of Sri Lanka.  His ascendancy to the presidency is also a phenomenon that can partly be attributed to some people’s desire to experiment with non-career politicians.

This dynamic change in politics is manifested in the assignment of subjects and responsibilities to the newly elected politicians.  In the appointment of the chairmen of the District Coordinating Committees (DCC), the President has handpicked the professionals-cum- politicians for most districts. The DCCs are bodies with sufficient authority for decision making at district levels as far as administrative and development matters are concerned.  Likewise, a fair number of newcomers have been assigned state ministry portfolios. The representatives of Viyath Maga and Yuthukama have already been appointed to most of the statutory boards.  All these moves indicate the fact that executive authority is laid in the hands of the non-career politicians or technocrats to a considerable extent in the implementation of the policies envisaged in the manifesto of the government. It is a clear departure from traditional politics.

Three Strands Of Tamil Politics

The political complexion of the northern and eastern constituencies was found to be drastically changed according to the election results this time. And, it is yet another radical shift in political dynamics of Tamil polity. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which is an amalgam of three parties, found its parliamentary representation reduced from 16 to ten. It is an upfront challenge to its claim of being the sole representatives of the Tamil speaking people in the north and the east Sri Lanka. Still, the TNA remains the single largest political force in the north. Its vote bank plummeted quite drastically because four different parties,  including Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), made inroads into it.

These four parties that impacted the TNA basically represent two different strands in Tamil politics.  Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kootani (TMTK) and Ahila Ilankai Tamil Congress (AITC) won three seats at this election. They contested separately, but have common extreme demands for power-sharing.  They agitate for extensive power-sharing so much so that their demands sometimes borders on a separate state. They have polled a segment of Tamil votes mainly in the north and to a certain extent in the east.

Besides, Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) secured two parliamentary seats in the north and the SLFP one seat. This is yet another development. In fact, it is the first ever parliamentary representation for the SLFP in Jaffna. These two parties favour power devolution, but lays emphasis more on economic development of their areas. For them, development comes first and devolution later.  Likewise, these parties are in alliance with the governing SLPP. Their ability to attract a fair number of Tamil votes suggest a new line of thinking among northern constituencies who used to get carried away by Tamil nationalist demands during previous elections.  The TNA is somewhere in between the two, but lays more emphasis on power sharing on Federal lines.  Accordingly, three strands of political thinking now prevail among the northern constituencies.

TMVP And Its Eastern Identity

In the eastern province, gains made by the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulihal (TMVP) are noteworthy. It won one parliamentary seat from the Tamil majority Batticaloa District and trailed behind the TNA only by a narrow margin.  This is a result of political dynamics unique to the eastern province. It is a province with a lot of development disparities on ethnic lines. The Muslim pockets of the province such as Kattankudy are streets ahead of Tamil areas in terms of   development. The Muslim political representatives have always been party to the ruling side, and they have succeeded in securing allocations for the infrastructure improvement of their areas.  In certain instances, there has been inequitable distribution of budgetary allocations, though. On the contrary, the TNA kept on agitating for power devolution. Such political approach of the TNA kept the Tamil areas lagging far behind the Muslim areas in economic prosperity.   There is self-realisation now among Tamil constituents that they should team up with the party in power to see development. It is one reason for the TMVP to win votes this time.   Also, communal politics also played a role this time.

The TMVP, in its election campaign, took a tough position against Islamic extremism.  It was critical of signs of radicalisation in the east. It could drive home its message effectively because of the ISIS inspired attack on Zion Church in Batticaloa.   The TMVP is also a party that advocates the eastern identity of Tamils.

“Ours is a party with its origin in Batticaloa.  Tamil politics has always been dominated by those in the north. We are particular about our eastern identity,” party spokesman Asath Moulana told this columnist.

The TMVP’s achievement under its incarcerated leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pilleyan should be taken into account against such a backdrop. It is a real dynamic shift in the east and characteristically different to the north.

The TMVP will be a party to the government this time.  If it delivers to people in terms of what it promised,  it will make further gains.

(The featured image at the top shows Dr.Nalaka Godahewa, an engineer and management professional, with Gotabaya Rapakasa. A member of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Viyathmaga organization, Godahewa got the highest number of preference votes in Gampaha District -325,479 as against 316,544 secured by professional politician Prasanna Ranatunga)

SendShare24TweetShareShare
Editor

Editor

Recommended Articles

  • All
  • Recommend
Review of ‘Capturing Cricket – Steve Waugh in India’:  Journey of a Waugh photographer

Review of ‘Capturing Cricket – Steve Waugh in India’: Journey of a Waugh photographer

March 6, 2021
Thrills and perils in being an honest and competent Revenue Intelligence officer

Thrills and perils in being an honest and competent Revenue Intelligence officer

March 6, 2021
Rich countries having  only 16% of the world’s population, took 60% of vaccine doses

Rich countries having only 16% of the world’s population, took 60% of vaccine doses

March 5, 2021
Lanka asks UNHRC to delete reference to the burial issue even as fresh protests erupt

Lanka asks UNHRC to delete reference to the burial issue even as fresh protests erupt

March 5, 2021
India to cover 100 million in the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination

India to cover 100 million in the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination

March 3, 2021
Iranaitivu residents protest against COVID-19 burials

Iranaitivu residents protest against COVID-19 burials

March 3, 2021

Advertorial

  • All
  • Advertorial
Visual and Textual Analysis for Images with Reverse Search Tools

Visual and Textual Analysis for Images with Reverse Search Tools

January 3, 2021

Popular Now

  • Thrills and perils in being an honest and competent Revenue Intelligence officer

    Thrills and perils in being an honest and competent Revenue Intelligence officer

    21 shares
    Share 8 Tweet 5
  • Lanka takes three crucial decisions to garner Indian and Muslim support in UNHRC

    35 shares
    Share 26 Tweet 4
  • Tokyo asks China to stop anal swab tests for COVID-19 on Japanese citizens

    22 shares
    Share 14 Tweet 4
  • Rich countries having only 16% of the world’s population, took 60% of vaccine doses

    18 shares
    Share 11 Tweet 3
  • India-made Indian Air Force planes in Lankan Air Forces’ 70 th. Anniversary celebrations

    14 shares
    Share 8 Tweet 3
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

© 2020 NewsIn.Asia - Lovingly maintained by DigitalArc.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
  • Around The World
  • Breaking News
  • Business
    • Exchange
  • Climate Change
  • Governance
    • Crime
    • Diplomacy
    • Defense
    • Human Rights
    • Politics
    • Strategic Affairs
  • Lifestyle
    • Books
    • Entertainment
      • Arts
      • Cinema
      • Gaming
      • Music
      • Movie
      • Series
      • TV
    • Health
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Travel
  • Culture
    • Ethnicity
    • Gender
  • Development news
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Coronavirus
  • History
  • National
  • Offbeat
    • Media
    • Music and arts across South Asia
  • Recommended
    • Headlines
    • Highlights
    • Top Picture
    • Top Story
  • Religion
  • Science
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Cricket
      • LPL
      • IPL
    • Tennis
    • Formula 1
    • NBA
  • Tech
    • Instagram
  • United Nations
  • Weather
  • World
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United States

© 2020 NewsIn.Asia - Lovingly maintained by DigitalArc.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In