Let’s use “Religion-Race” for a corruption-free election

Religion and race should be used to carry out the election campaign project without disturbance in the society and the candidates as well as the voters to create a clean political process free from corruption and bribery in the municipal councils and provincial councils by promoting harmony between races and multi-religious people.” the Negombo Regional Inter-Religious Committee states.

They state that all religious leaders and civil society leaders have a great responsibility to fulfill these tasks. The government has announced that the provincial council elections in Sri Lanka will be held on the 9th of March.

The “Negombo Regional Inter-Religious Committee” stated this, in an awareness conference held on Tuesday, in Negombo on how candidates and voters should behave during election campaigns and how religion and race should be used, aiming at the upcoming local government elections.

Candidates competing in this upcoming provincial council elections, Muslim and Christian priests, and provincial civil society leaders and youth participated in this awareness program held at the Indira Festival Hall in Negombo.

“The sovereignty of the people is tested in the elections held in a country. There is no room for postponing the elections for any reason. In case of an emergency such as a tsunami disaster, an epidemic, or a flood in the country, the minister in charge and the Election Commission can postpone the vote. Therefore, no matter what the government says, elections are held according to the law. It should be conducted in order.” Said Rohana Hettiarachi, Executive Director of People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) while delivering the keynote address of the awareness.

“Rulers always want to make laws to maintain their power. But when those laws are made in a way that challenges the sovereignty of the people, the people have the right to oppose it. There is no law that says you can’t go against it. Therefore, by creating a strong people’s wall, the power and influence against the people can be challenged and can be changed. Rohana Hettiarachi also pointed out.

Rohana Hettiarachi also pointed out that it is the right as well as the responsibility of the citizens to vote without canceling the vote, and clarified that as , it is the responsibility of the religious leaders to prevent corruption and bribery and to awaken and motivate the people to use their vote.

Nirmala Fernando, one of the candidates for the Negombo Municipal Council pointed out that the Negombo district, where every religion and every nationality is represented, can be an example to other districts in Sri Lanka, stated that the involvement of religious leaders is a very necessary factor to launch the election campaign without hate politics in a way that builds harmony among all citizen.

“Without influencing any political party, or without highlighting any political party, it is the timely responsibility of all religious leaders to give good guidance to citizens on how to identify the real candidates and to use their valuable votes for those who have the ability, wisdom, and commitment to building their village, city, or country.” she pointed out.

Pastor Kusumsira, who participated in the event, stated that the contribution of the Christian clergy will be given to the Muslim brothers and sisters in the future as well as it was presented during the days of the Easter attack, and they were prevented from the mass riots and human killings that were going to happened.

“if the Muslim brothers are working with us some more closely and come forward, it will be another good strength as well as a great help to build harmony.” Added Pastor Kusumsiri.