A New Face For A New Era
Eran Wickramaratne
By R. Wijewardene
Predictably the National Lists submitted by both the country’s main political parties contained the usual line up of cronies, thugs, relatives and acolytes.
However between the suspected murderers, known criminals and total non entities a few names stood out as representing the true purpose of the National List; a device to bring professionals and accomplished intellectuals into the political process.
From the UNP’s list Eran Wickramaratne, CEO of the National Development Bank (NDB) stood out as a distinguished professional and political novice with the potential to make a real difference in our dysfunctional parliament.
Q: After a successful career in banking what persuaded you to enter our notoriously corrupt and underachieving political system?
A: There is a real need for professionals to enter parliament and to influence the decision making process in this country. For too long business leaders have tried to ignore the political system — to work around it, but I think it’s time for professionals to engage in the political process. Only by doing so can they effect the changes they want so see. I hope I can be an example for other professionals and persuade them that they can effect change from within the system.
Q: You have also chosen to enter politics through the UNP. If you are determined to effect change why did you chose to enter parliament through what some would describe as an ailing and increasingly powerless political party?
A: Firstly I wouldn’t agree with that description of the party. However my main aim is to change the political culture of the island — and not simply to serve the interests of a party. However if you want to make changes you need to have the power to do so and therefore you must enter parliament through a party.
I chose to accept a place on the UNPs National List because the party has an inclusive philosophy — it is truly a party for all Sri Lankans and not just one ethnic group. The party also has a strong record in terms of economic policy and I believe that at this juncture sound economic policy is an absolute necessity.
Q: What are you seeking to achieve once in parliament?
A: Personally I’m interested in taking the country forward in this post war era. We are now facing a critical moment in the country’s history. We have a unique opportunity to build a better nation but to do so we must succeed where our post independence and war time leadership failed – in creating a national identity that transcends ethnic and religious identities. I want to contribute to this process of building a cohesive national identity, of course as a banker I will also make my voice heard on economic matters and campaign for good governance at every level of the political process.
Q: Do you believe the UNP’s current manifesto provides the answers to the challenges facing the nation?
A: I believe it is strong and innovative, and provides a sound foundation upon which it will be possible to rebuild this country after 30 years of destruction. Fundamentally the manifesto will put people first. It offers a vision of citizen focused development which means we won’t concentrate solely on giant infrastructure projects, instead our focus will be on uplifting the quality of life of all the country’s citizens. We will work to reduce the cost of living, and provide support for rural communities. Our focus however will be on improving the education system as a more effective education system will provide people with the skills they need to create more opportunities for themselves.
Q: The UNP however has suffered a string of election defeats, why should people put any faith in the manifesto of what has for years been a losing political party?
A: The end of the war has changed everything. We are living through the dawn of a new era for this country and I firmly believe the UNP is the correct party to lead this nation in this new era. The party has within its fold some of the finest minds in Sri Lankan politics and its manifesto presents a vision for driving growth.
The civil war which crippled this country for decades is now over and it is now imperative that we fight an economic war – a war for prosperity and development. The policies outlined in our manifesto, will yield 50% stronger rates of economic growth – which means growth at 9% rather than the current six percent.
These claims aren’t empty promises but are based on the fact that ours is a workable practical manifesto. I maybe an idealist but I am not a dreamer. I have over 20 years experience as a banker and I joined the UNP only because I believe their policies will deliver change and growth.
Q: The party however is consistently accused of being an elitist bastion. As a successful banker are you adequately in touch with ordinary people to address their concerns ?
A: Politics is a complex, multifaceted business. You need people from every walk of life to be engaged in and contribute to the process. There are grassroots level politicians but there must also be professionals and thinkers. Regarding claims of elitism however I am certainly not from an elite background – my current position is the result of a successful professional career spanning two decades. In terms of being in touch with ordinary people I have been engaged in social work for years and am very familiar with the concerns of both the urban and rural poor.
Q: It has been pointed out that you are a prominent member of the Assembly of God Church. Do you think your affiliation with what is often portrayed as an aggressively evangelist organisation will be used against you by your opponents?
A: The Assembly of God is a mainline Christian Church and I strongly believe that religion is a private matter for every individual. I have the deepest respect for all the religions practiced in this country because they all contribute to making this a more ethical and value based society. Ethnicity and religion however shouldn’t stop us from forging an identity as Sri Lankans and that is my main priority. To help forge a national identity which includes every one of our citizens regardless of race or religion.
Q: Can you list three policies you will work to implement?
A: I want to work to create a society where everyone enjoys the same opportunities and to create a system where all citizens are treated with respect and within the framework of the law. I hope to contribute to promoting a Sri Lankan identity and end the division of this country along religious, ethnic and class lines.
I will work to reform the country’s education system as a means to giving individuals the power to uplift their own lives.
I lost my respect for you after you decided to come to politics
Why? Is to bad to enter politics? We need people like him to serve our country.
This man will go and join Horapakse soon – just wait and see – like Karu Jayarsuriya, Rajitha Senarathne, Keheliya Rambukwella et al. He will be a multimillionaire soon
If you said this about any other person I may have believed. But not this man. He is above board and highly principled.
If the Assembly of God is behind this man – citizens of Sri Lanka must be very careful of him.
I think the late Lasanatha and his wife Sonali belong to the same sect.
I too had the same doubts about the Assembly of God like you until
I went there to check it out my self . I am now firmly convinced that they are passionate about their God and are a asset to our country. I saw many people who were given up as useless and of no value changed and live such clean and decent lives. Amazing what that church does .
What a comment.. Its best that one comments if they know the truth or else one must keep silent.
Yes he is a Assembly of God crook…. trying to destabilize Sri Lank
Suresh your comment does not make any sense. How can a church destablise a country???
I don’t trust these evangelical christians. they are cia. they are not our clultrue sadly ranil loves only them
I have the highest respect for the evangelical christians.
Please make sure that you dont go the USA ever Shilpa Hettige. The CIA might follow you with the evangelical christians behind them and Ranil by their side!!! Ha! Ha!
Never mind coming to politics, dont sell our national assets for a song,
like Milinda Morogoda did.
As long as you do not go on conversions that’s ok. please do not try to westernise our society. ranil wanted Minneriya girls to wear denim jeans and the young men to wear gold chains!
Conversion is a persons personal decision. No one can convert anyone. This is not possible. This is a myth and is made up to create religious disharmony.
I think Eran Wickramaratne will do a lot for our country. His decision to serve the country is the best news many of us could have heard. He is fantastic human being and will become a fantastic leader. Sri Lanka has hope if Eran is around.
Eran Wickramaratne’s decision to enter the political arena is liked a breath of fresh air. We warmly welcome him and if is he is around we are in safe hands.
Sri Lanka has hope. Good timely choice made by him and endorsed by Ranil Wickremasinghe.
I would have had much greater respect for Eran if he formed his own party & came into politics. Of course it would have been a much greater risk. This way, he might actually win and obtain the power he would need to make the required changes. Somehow, I have little faith in the UNP leadership. With regard to his faith, I am a Christian and believe that a person who TRULY follows Chris would make ONLY a positive contribution. As regard to churches, I don’t place much faith in them. My best wishes and prayers, Eran, I hope you will hold on to your vision at all times.
BTW I meant Christ (not Chris).
I personally think that Eran has made the best choice for the sake of the Country. He will deliver what he has promised. He is a man of His word from what I hear from many sources far and wide.
Suresh, Dushy, Shilpa and other:
For one hundred and fifty years from 1505, Pope and the Portuguese colonials backed all sorts of dirty tactics by Catholics missionaries like Franciscans and Dominicans to proselyte the Sinhala Buddhists to be Catholics. When Portuguese were chased out by the Dutch, Protestant missionaries strived hard to proselyte the Sinhala Buddhists to their section of Christianity. They also tried to persecute the Catholics missionaries and chase them out of this country. When the Dutch handed over their areas to the English, the Protestants just continued to do what they did under the Dutch. But, never mind the Christian infighting; they both had one single motive. That is to obliterate Buddhism from this Sri Lanka for good.
Today, neither the Pope nor the European Governments are the masters of these modern evangelists. Really, they are like loose cannon. They are not under direct control of anybody. Though they carry no sword like in the yesteryear Franciscans and Dominicans, they have enough dollars with their Bible. And, these Dollars are the secret of their success. With the backing of the US ecumenical organizations, these evangelists have almost replaced the old time European missionary activity for now. For the new Evangelists, it is a business and a way of life. It is a common secret that the US government back the ecumenical organizations to the hilt. So what does the US get in return? Well the simple answer is to get the whole globe under them. If you want to know the fine art of it, you can read it in the ‘Confessions of an economic hit man’ here.
http://www.democracynow.org/2004/11/9/confessions_of_an_economic_hit_man
Now what do the Christian ecumenical organizations want? It is no secret that they want to Christianize the entire globe. What interest us is that how do they go about doing it here? In that Fundamentalist Christian organizations based in the US provide money and basic know-how to select cliques to start a business of religion. Opportunists first form a clique. Then it is business all the way. The cliques that grabbed the foreign money plan to spread the business of Christianity just like any other businesses. The legal necessities are made by registering a company to maneuver the business of religion.
Thereafter, the clique rent a simple dwelling in the middle of a Buddhist neighbourhood, hook up a cross sign calling it a church and bus strangers routinely to sing noisy psalms. They place themselves particularly where they are not welcome. They are nothing but obtrusive people. Once established, as a rule, a subordinate opens up another church and so on and on. Watch out! This kind of brain washed fanatical cliques may soon wander your vicinity degrading Buddhist ideals.
Once started, they move on with their business at a rapid phase. Destitute are duped with donations as if it is coming from the God. Sick are connived and persuaded in to faith healing. Rich are induced to graft and corruption and aided for further success. In fact, evangelists bring about life solutions for everyone as long as they are to be members of their congregation.
Eran is an self acknowledge evangelist. In fact people like him are in every nook and cranny of the UNP. We have noticed how powerful and manipulative they can be when RanilW was the prime minister in 2001-3. Good thing, the Sinhala Buddhists realized their game. The UNP got less and less Sinhala Buddhist votes since.
Leela are you ok?? From where did you unearth all this rubbish????
Leelas comments are absurd, biased and vicious and there is no truth at all. May your mind be cleaned out soon before you go off your head.
Pity that Leela does not get her facts correct before writing her thesis.
I am a buddhist convert and I could tell that this info is totally false. Besides this is not a religious article but a politically one. So its best that they are both not mixed. Do not instigate religious disharmony if you profess to be a true buddhist.
Mr. Eran Wickramaratne has a reputation has being Mr. Clean in every area of his life and no finger could be pointed at him. He is a true son of the soil. Congratulations Eran! Sorry for the belated wishes as I have not been on the web for a very long time. You are going to be a leader of Sri Lanka very soon.