Renowned environmental and social activist Dr. Ajantha Perera is determined to rid the country of corruption. Being the only female candidate contesting the presidential election, Dr. Perera has pledged to restore harmony among the communities, eradicate corruption, and develop national industries.
Below are excerpts of her interview with The Sunday Morning:
What made you decide to contest this presidential election?
Since the war ended, everybody wanted to have a prosperous nation. That was what we were aiming for because our expenditure towards the war came to an end. So of course people wanted to see and feel prosperity and happiness in the country.
As time went on, the 225 in Parliament have disappointed the people continuously and people voted for different parties thinking that a change in faces and colours would bring about a change in the development of the country. We also received a lot of foreign investment in the form of loans, but when you look at 2019, we don’t see much happening.
We have 45% of the population receiving Samurdhi, which means a large number is below the poverty line. On the whole, the people are struggling to survive.
So I thought to myself: “We are capable.”
I have been working in the country for 26 years; using my own money to develop the environmental sector. I have also been working with local authorities to find a solution to the garbage problem. Eventually, I decided that I’m capable and that I love my country and with all the diplomatic connections I have, I’m sure I can do better than the current lot.
How are you different from the other candidates?
I don’t want to boast about myself but I have been campaigning for environmental issues for years; sometimes as a lone rider. I have worked in the North and the East and in fact, developed a system after the tsunami to recycle debris into bricks.
During the peak of the war, I worked in Vavuniya and developed a compost plant there. I got the LTTE to change their mindset on using plastic and polythene.
I have been keen primarily on taking care of national industries because they have been destroyed. I have been in the midst of it and know what needs to be done.
My best quality is that I will not steal. Every cent that comes to this country needs to be invested well. We need to develop industries so that whatever loans we take, we can repay.
What would be your main objectives as president?
My number one objective is the elimination of corruption. Everyone who has been proven guilty of stealing money and taking or giving bribes would be brought to justice.
They will be made to pay it all back. People have to become responsible and that can only be done if those who have done wrong are punished.
My second objective is restoring harmony between the communities. I will also make sure that national security is maintained at the same time. On the drug issue, we need to make sure our children are safe and need to take care of it further.
The third point would be to take care of the national resources of Sri Lanka. We must also develop our national industries.
You are a new face in Sri Lankan politics. How do you hope to battle it out against the likes of Sajith Premadasa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa?
Basically, all these candidates have formed coalitions to ensure their power. But the people knew for the last so many months, the 225 in Parliament must go home.
So it’s a matter of making sure that the people understand what they are voting for. If they vote for the mainstream political candidates, then they’re asking for the same circumstances.
If we miss this election, we will be in big trouble because we won’t have another opportunity to develop our country and rescue it.
How do you hope to fund your campaign and would you be transparent about campaign finances despite other candidates not being so forthcoming?
Yes, of course. We are pretty transparent about it. Thus far, I haven’t taken any assistance from other people. As a family, we are running the campaign and if we do receive any funding, we will be publishing it on our website. This is something we have pledged to Transparency International Sri Lanka.
(SG)
Since the war ended, everybody wanted to have a prosperous nation. That was what we were aiming for because our expenditure towards the war came to an end. So of course people wanted to see and feel prosperity and happiness in the country.
As time went on, the 225 in Parliament have disappointed the people continuously and people voted for different parties thinking that a change in faces and colours would bring about a change in the development of the country. We also received a lot of foreign investment in the form of loans, but when you look at 2019, we don’t see much happening.
We have 45% of the population receiving Samurdhi, which means a large number is below the poverty line. On the whole, the people are struggling to survive.
So I thought to myself: “We are capable.”
I have been working in the country for 26 years; using my own money to develop the environmental sector. I have also been working with local authorities to find a solution to the garbage problem. Eventually, I decided that I’m capable and that I love my country and with all the diplomatic connections I have, I’m sure I can do better than the current lot.
How are you different from the other candidates?
I don’t want to boast about myself but I have been campaigning for environmental issues for years; sometimes as a lone rider. I have worked in the North and the East and in fact, developed a system after the tsunami to recycle debris into bricks.
During the peak of the war, I worked in Vavuniya and developed a compost plant there. I got the LTTE to change their mindset on using plastic and polythene.
I have been keen primarily on taking care of national industries because they have been destroyed. I have been in the midst of it and know what needs to be done.
My best quality is that I will not steal. Every cent that comes to this country needs to be invested well. We need to develop industries so that whatever loans we take, we can repay.
What would be your main objectives as president?
My number one objective is the elimination of corruption. Everyone who has been proven guilty of stealing money and taking or giving bribes would be brought to justice.
They will be made to pay it all back. People have to become responsible and that can only be done if those who have done wrong are punished.
My second objective is restoring harmony between the communities. I will also make sure that national security is maintained at the same time. On the drug issue, we need to make sure our children are safe and need to take care of it further.
The third point would be to take care of the national resources of Sri Lanka. We must also develop our national industries.
You are a new face in Sri Lankan politics. How do you hope to battle it out against the likes of Sajith Premadasa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa?
Basically, all these candidates have formed coalitions to ensure their power. But the people knew for the last so many months, the 225 in Parliament must go home.
So it’s a matter of making sure that the people understand what they are voting for. If they vote for the mainstream political candidates, then they’re asking for the same circumstances.
If we miss this election, we will be in big trouble because we won’t have another opportunity to develop our country and rescue it.
How do you hope to fund your campaign and would you be transparent about campaign finances despite other candidates not being so forthcoming?
Yes, of course. We are pretty transparent about it. Thus far, I haven’t taken any assistance from other people. As a family, we are running the campaign and if we do receive any funding, we will be publishing it on our website. This is something we have pledged to Transparency International Sri Lanka.
(SG)