Despite securing the Colombo Mayor’s seat, the government faces ethical backlash. Prof. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri slams the secret ballot as a blow to political integrity and transparency in Sri Lanka’s local governance.
Despite clinching control over the Colombo Municipal Council, the government has suffered a significant ethical setback, says Professor Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri. In a video statement released via his official online channel, Prof. Dewasiri voiced strong criticism over the government’s decision to appoint the Mayor of Colombo through a secret ballot.
He argued that resorting to a secret vote in such a scenario raises serious questions about the transparency and credibility of the process. According to him, this act erodes the ethical foundation of politics, sending a troubling signal to the public.
“Even if it’s a vote of conscience, when it’s held in secret by elected officials, it loses its legitimacy,” Dewasiri stated, underlining that people’s representatives have a responsibility to act openly and be accountable to the public that elected them.
He further noted that Sri Lanka’s political history is marred by the tradition of using money to sway political loyalty. “Even if the government claims no vote-buying took place, the lack of transparency leaves that claim unverifiable,” he added.
Prof. Dewasiri concluded that winning Colombo under such conditions might be a strategic victory, but it’s a moral and political loss for the government.
This is specious nonsense. What could possibly more democratic than a secret ballot? Do people vote at Presidential and Parliamentary elections by a show of hands? There is no substance at all to this academic’s accusations apart from probably his antipathy to the current government.