Cardinal highlights importance of new electoral system

• Calls post-1978 electoral system a disaster for SL that contributed to rampant corruption
• Opines politicians will better serve people, if they are elected for specific districts

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith underscored the importance of a new electoral system, to serve its citizens. 

Addressing an event in Colombo, he said before 1978, every district in the country was represented by a public representative, be it at local government level or in Parliament.

The Archbishop of Colombo noted that such public representatives were compelled to work for their respective constituencies in order for them to get elected at the next election. Cardinal also said that in the post-1978 electoral system has been a disaster for the country which has contributed to rampant corruption.

The Cardinal is of the views that since contestants at Parliamentary elections require votes from the entire district; they are forced to work with business people to fund their campaigns.

He noted that politicians will better serve the people, if they are elected for specific districts.