Open letter to new Prime Minister

Honourable Prime Minister,

I trust this is the right time for me to make an appeal to you before you get down to the business of governing this country.

But before that, let me congratulate you on the convincing victory you achieved for the United National Front for Good Governance. May I also express my happiness and delight on the record preferences you gained in the Colombo District.

I commend you, and I trust there will be millions who will join me, on the exemplary manner in which you conducted yourself as party leader and led the party candidates, functionaries and workers of all ranks to confine themselves within the legal frame work, mainly the Elections Law, guidelines and directives of the Elections Commissioner and if there were any breaches, they were only a handful and far apart. 

You and the party leadership did not allow the mobs to take over during election day or in the immediate aftermath. Your statement after the victory was most appropriate and gives confidence and hope for everyone irrespective of party affiliations. It is not surprising for a person like you with honesty, integrity, intellect and determination for this attitude.

I will fail in my duty if I do not mention the nonpartisan stand of President Maithripala Sirisena and the steadfast manner in which the Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya conducted the election. I trust there will be hardly anybody who will complain.

Honourable Prime Minister, now that you are in the saddle, there will be lines forming in the corridors of the Government seeking perks and appointments for plum jobs. Many of these personalities were vociferous critics in the high society parlours, clubs and in the Colombo cocktail circuit, when you were battling to save the party from disintegration due to pressure from the opposing side, business tycoons who had their own ulterior motives and disgruntled elements within the party ranks because you were doing the right thing. 

This may appear superfluous for a man with wisdom but my appeal to you is, be vary of such persons and when making appointments to the top echelons in the Government, consider men of stature, integrity and professionalism. 

I hope you and your team will be able to steer this country to new vistas where everyone will get an equal opportunity, particularly the poor and lower middle class families.

May the blessings of the Triple Gem and Gods venerated by all religions be with you when you are undertaking this arduous task.

T. Mallawatantri