I have only one expectation.. that is my country should achieve 7500$ per capita income by 2020. Per capita income is often used to measure a country's standard of living. This helps a country to know their development status.
Achieving that income level wouldn’t be a big task for Sri Lanka and I think that Sri Lanka is well deserved that status.
I knew most of my friends are unable to understand that target. But, to achieve that target we need to achieve lot more. We need to strengthen National Security, Food Security, Energy Security, Environment Security and Macroeconomic Security.
In 2010, Mahinda promised 4000$ per capita income by 2016. He called that target as Miracle of Asia. Sri Lanka will achieve it one year ahead of the target. That is this year… 2015. It is true that benefits of higher per capita income will slowly go down to the general public. Definitely, those benefits should go down otherwise you can not maintain growth rate. Infrastructure development is one of the benefits that general public can expect.
So, now shall we consider manifestos of two candidates, Mahinda’s manifesto has all my concerns and guidance how to achieve it. Unfortunately, Mithripala’s manifesto little bit complex to read and understand. Various people interpret it in different way. No guidance how to achieve it. So, I think that it is just a propaganda material.
I also concerned about opposition’s allegations about Mahinda’s rule.
Presidential System: I don’t want to scrap Presidential system or the constitution. We may need few modification specially in representative selection process. Strong leadership is a must for a country.
Corruption : Everybody talks about it but nobody proves Corruption of Mahinda’s rule. That is drastic failure of our opposition. Opposition claimed that without corruption we would have achieved 10 times higher figures compare to current one. Will it be possible? Now we have US$ 75 billion GDP (in 2005 it was around US$ 15 billion), if opposition is correct we would have to achieve upto US$ 750 billion. So, our per capita income should be more than 100,000 $. The richest nation in the world!! This is absurd. Further, in the annual Global Corruption Perception Index 2014 (CPI) released by Transparency International (TI), Sri Lanka has scored 38 points and is placed in the 85th position among 175 countries. We are the least corrupted country in South Asia. So, this corruption devil is not so black as he is painted.
Ethanol, drugs and Casino : I believe that these topics are not major problems in our society. It is very hardly see drug addicted, casino addicted individuals in our social life.
Bankrupt economic policies : This is absurd argument. For the past 10 years the opposition was saying ‘Economy is going to collapse very soon’. But, year by year our growth rate was well over 6% line. Their ‘very soon’ theory never happened. Budget deficit is the lowest since 1977. In 2010 it was 8 and it is estimated (for 2014)as 5.2. Public debt as a percentage of GDP has steadily reduced. In 2001 it was 103.3 and now it is estimated (for 2014) as 75.
Bad governance, Dictatorship and Family Governance : I believe that achieving results is good governance. Not achieving results is corruption. So, Mahinda has achieved the results. Without good governance he can't do that. We need to have good dictatorship to lead the country. A puppet can not rule a country. Two brothers of Mahinda, namely Basil and Gota are doing great job for my country. And no one in his family is doing bad things to my country. In politics, it is absurd to check family roots, what we need to check whether he is delivering or not.
Also, we can think about the opposition front. Though they emphasized that their coalition is for good governance, I can’t believe it. Instead, everyone in that front wants to get rid of Rajapakshas. They all maintain hatred against Mahinda. Most of them have personal problems with Mahinda, others have political goals. Their problems are not our problems or my country problems. Though, they have 100 day program to launch, I do believe that their coalition will last before 100 days. So, I feel nothing in them.
In 2005, I had two choices that was Ranil and Mahinda. I was aware of Ranil’s capability, but not Mahinda’s. Though I wanted to vote for Ranil, couldn't make up my mind for that. So I ‘closed’ my eyes and selected Mahinda just because he was very religious man. I thought there may be something in him. After 5 years, I was very proud of my decision.
In 2010, I had no choices. I opened my eyes and voted for Mahinda. I believed that he would achieve some economical targets as well. After 4 years, he exceeded my expectations in all fronts.
In 2015, again, I have no choices again. With my opened eyes and with a smile I can vote for Mahinda. He well deserve that.
Mr. President… I know that you will be re-elected for the third time as well. It is your duty keep up my expectations high..
