By Noor Nizam – Peace and Political Activist, Political Communication Researcher, SLFP/SLPP Stalwart and Convener – “The Muslim Voice” – 8th., June, 2020.

The above news item that appreared in the: http://www.adaderana.lk/news/64500/president-instructs-heads-of-govt-institutions-not-to-involve-in-politics-during-election dated June 8th., 2020, can be the most welcome “INSTRUCTIONS” given by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa since January 2020 todate. Being involved in the grass-root election campaigning since 1969 till recently, engaged with the political party of my choice, the SLFP and its Alliances, I have real life experience how heads of government institutions get involved and influence the decission making of the voters in the use of their “fundamental franchise right” to vote using various tactics and methods which the ordinary “INNOCENT” rural voter does not know what he is trapped to pledge his “VOTE” to the party/candidate of the political camp/party which these government officials are aligned to (give support to) for selfish reasons, expecting those political camps/parties and candidates representing those elements been victorious.

This is a very good move to carry on with a fair and democratic general election to allow the people (VOTERS) to express their “FRANCHISE” without any influence from whatever quaters or persons. The PRESIDENT has just forgotten one major thing, which has been the “POLITICAL VIRUS” of our Democracy since Independence fought and gained “UNITEDLY” by the Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Malays, Burghers and other minority groups “UNITEDLY”. 

It is “PARAMOUNT” that the president should issue a directive or advice the Election Commissioner to issue a directive that “NO CLERGY” from whatever religious group they may belong, should refrain from engaging in any political activities during the forthcoming General Election. THIS SHOULD EXPECIALLY APPLY TO THE MUSLIM ULEMA (not all seem to be gulity) and or the ALL CEYLON JAMIYATHUL ULEMA and it’s so-called hierarchy,  who have in many elections, it has been rumoured “publicly”, denounced the Rajapaksa regime/SLFP/SLPP and influenced the Muslims to vote the UNP/UNP Alliances during all elections using scuttle methods of sermons or “oratory metaphors” , even though they were much benefited by the Rajapaksa family viz-a-viz (The ACJU received a large block of land in Colombo 12 from former President Mahinda Rajapaksa when they were politically flirting with the UPFA/SLFP government and no one knows what happened to this block of state land that the ACJU got from Mahinda. MAHINDA RAJAPAKSA SHOULD KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS BLOCK OF LAND, WHETHER IT WAS SOLD OR NOT OR WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MONEY IF IT WAS SOLD?)

HE. Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s political vision is that young and new political aspirants from the Muslim community even belonging to the opposition parties should come forward to enter parliament and create a new political culture in the communities of the minorities, who can be honest and bring together the Muslim Vote Bank and gather them to create a “New Muslim Political Culture”. A culture that will create a political force which will be honest and sincere and produce “CLEAN”and diligent Muslim Politicians. The Muslim Vote Bank has decided to act on it’s own “NOW”. Let President Gotabaya Rajapaksa “HELP” create that opportunity without the interference of the ACJU or the Muslim Ulema in the forthcoming general elections, Insha Allah.

This article may disturb some of the Muslim groups who do not want to see the “REALITY” of “TRUTH” faced by our innocent Muslim Vote Bank and by some of the Buddhist Clergy who may have an opinion that they have a “RIGHT” to indulge in politics, but not disturb the Catholic/Christian Clergy because they very rarely indulge in politics but steer clear with “blanced thinking” contributing their political influence where ever necessary, as the case maybe. The April 21st, 2019 incidents are a clear indication of that.

Will President Gotabaya Rajapaksa “HELP” create that opportunity to the Muslims  in the forthcoming general elections, Insha Allah.