Let Us Act Decisively In The Name Of Generations To Come: Declaration By Dons On 2015 Presidential Election

Colombo Telegraphs, 14/12/2014

The presidential election has been announced and each of us will be called upon to exercise our vote as citizens of this country on the 8^th of January 2015.  It is our considered view that our country is at a historically important juncture at this moment and our decision at this election will have crucial implications for future generations. While we do not believe that all the changes we desire can be achieved overnight, or simply through a regime change, we believe strongly that this presidential election offers a window of opportunity to re-establish democracy, the rule of law and good governance and to address issues of social justice.

We note with extreme concern that in the past decade we have witnessed a breakdown of the rule of law and all norms of democracy and good governance and the concentration of both political and economic power in the hands of a few.

This has been particularly manifested in:

• The unprecedented politicization of the judiciary and the manipulation of the judicial system which reached a crisis point with the unlawful impeachment of the former Chief Justice.
• The political control over the police, lack of public accountability of the police force, and the alarming levels of human rights violations perpetrated by police personnel.
• The intimidation of journalists and suppression of the free media
• The breakdown of public institutions and services which are now mostly concentrated in the hands of the ruling elite. This breakdown has negatively impacted on our access to such institutions and services which is increasingly determined by the extent to which we can wield influence and power.  It has further resulted in public servants being subject to political manipulations, and being victimized for daring to demonstrate any form of independence.
• The politicization of universities which are struggling to function in an environment of poor governance, infringement of academic autonomy and lack of basic funding.
• The widening gap between the rich and poor –The poor whose only source of health facilities and education is the public sector are increasingly pushed to the margin and into the hands of the private sector.
• Increasing intolerance of ethnic, religious and cultural diversity– ethnic and religious intolerance is being cultivated shamelessly in an effort to maintain the hegemony of the ruling elite. Mistrust among communities and groups and the deterioration in the protection and rights of minorities has spiraled.
• Corruption, bribery and waste in connection with economic projects and the creation of a politicized business Mafia.
• Violation of election laws – the complete violation with impunity of election laws has resulted in the impossibility of conducting free and fair elections.

We urge our fellow citizens to carefully consider not only the above but also the future of the country when exercising their civic duty. It is only the power of the people that can ensure the protection of democratic rights. The time has arrived for each of us to act decisively in the name of generations to come and cast our valuable vote for a candidate who has committed to:

• Undertake major constitutional reform that prioritizes but is not limited to the

Abolishing of the Executive Presidency
Abolishing of the 18^th amendment that opens the door to Presidency for life
Re-enactment of the 17^th Amendment which ensured at least a modicum of independence of public institutions including the judiciary, the public service and the police.

• Take concrete and meaningful measures to promote reconciliation and peace with justice and re-settle all displaced people in their places of origin.
• Ensure that government allocates 6% GDP for Public Education and to put in place mechanisms to ensure the quality and standards of public education.
• Substantially increase government spending on Public Health and to put in place mechanisms to ensure the quality and standards of public health.
• Establish national policies on foreign relations, education, health and other important sectors and to ensure that these areas are served by professionals
• Enact a Right to Information Act.
• Protect media freedom.
• Take measures to eliminate corruption, bribery, waste and the business Mafia.
• Depoliticizethe public services and business sector.
• Establish good governance devoid of nepotism and abuse of power.

We also make a strong appeal to the Election Commissioner to ensure a free and fair election and to intervene forcefully to prevent the violation of election laws and ensure the safety of all parties concerned. While we will exert pressure on those who are responsible to commit to these issues, we will continue to advocate for the implementation of these proposed constitutional and policy changes even after the presidential election.

Prof. S. B. S.	Abayakoon	University of Peradeniya
Dr. Upul	Abeyrathne	University of Ruhuna
Mr. H. V. D. I.	Abeywickrama	University of Ruhuna
Dr. S. K. M.	Ali	University of Ruhuna
Dr. Chandana	Aluthge	University of Colombo
Dr. Liyanage	Amarakeerthi	University of Peradeniya
Dr. Harini	Amarasuriya	Open University of Sri Lanka
Ven. Uduhawara	Ananda	University of Colombo
Mr. P. T. K.	Arachchige	University of Ruhuna
Dr. A. K. S.	Aramabawaththa	University of Peradeniya
Prof. S.A	Ariadurai	Open University of Sri Lanka
Dr. Mojith	Ariyaratne	University of Peradeniya
Ven. T.	Ariyawimala	University of Ruhuna
Prof. D.	Atapattu	University of Ruhuna
Dr. S.	Baduge	University of Ruhuna
Prof. H. M. N.	Bandara	University of Peradeniya
Dr. S.	Banneheke	University of Peradeniya
Ms K	Bulumulle	Open University of Sri Lanka
Dr. D.P	Chandima	University of Moratuwa
Dr. A. J. M.	Chandradasa	University of Ruhuna
Mr. D. C.	Chandrasiri	University of Ruhuna
Prof. H. W.	Cyril	University of Peradeniya
Prof. Kumar	David	Formerly Hong Kong Polytechnic Univ.
Mr. W. K. R.	Dayalatha	University of Ruhuna
Mr. Ravi	de Mel	Open University of Sri Lanka
Dr. S.	de Mel	University of Peradeniya
Ms. D. M. R.	Deepika	University of Ruhuna
Prof G	Delkumburewatte	Open University of Sri Lanka
Dr. R. M. K.	Deshapriya	University of Peradeniya
Dr. Nirmal Ranjith	Dewasiri	University of Colombo
Prof. W. P. S.	Dias	University of Moratuwa
Mr. D. D.	Dias	University of Peradeniya
Ms. M. G. M.	Dilrukshi	University of Ruhuna
Ms. P. K. C.	Dinesha	University of Ruhuna
Prof. Lakshman	Dissanayake	Univeristy of Colombo
Dr. G.	Edirisinghe	University of Ruhuna
Dr. W. P. D.	Fernando	University of Peradeniya
Prof Rohan	Fernando	Open University of Sri Lanka
Dr. Michael	Fernando	Formerly University of Peradeniya
Dr Theodore	Fernando	Open University of Sri Lanka
Prof. Lalith S.	Fernando	University of Sri Jayawardenapura
Mr. W. M. N.	Fernando	University of Sri Jayawardenapura
Dr. Anil	Fernando	University of Sri Jayawardenapura
Mr. Wijith Herath	Fernando	University of Kelaniya
Prof. E. A. G.	Fonseka	University of Ruhuna
Mr. Krishantha	Fredricks	University of Colombo
Mr. Kasun	Gajasinghe	University of Peradeniya
Dr. Ruwan	Gallage	University of Ruhuna
Mr. Indu	Gamage	University of Ruhuna
Ms. Lakmini	Gamage	University of Ruhuna
Dr V.V.	Ganeshananthan	Harvard University
Prof. Savitri	Goonesekere	Formerly University of Colombo
Mr. K. G. P. V.	Gunarathna	University of Ruhuna
Mr. R. R. P. K.	Gunarathna	University of Ruhuna
Dr. S.	Gunarathne	University of Peradeniya
Mr Chandika	Gunasinghe	University of Ruhuna
Mr. Ruvan	Gunawardane	University of Ruhuna
Dr. R. D.	Guneratne	University of Colombo
Prof. Camena	Guneratne	Open University of Sri Lanka
Prof. Dileni	Gunewardena	University of Peradeniya
Dr. Rangika	Halwatura	University of Moratuwa
Dr. Farzana	Haniffa	University of Colombo
Mr. E. H. M.	Heenbanda	University of Ruhuna
Mr. G. P. T. S.	Hemakumara	University of Ruhuna
Dr. K. R. B.	Herath	University of Peradeniya
Dr Shyamani	Hettiarachchi	University of Kelaniya
Dr S.R	Hettiarachchi	Open University of Sri Lanka
Dr. N. K.	Hettiarachchi	University of Ruhuna
Dr. J.	Hewage	University of Ruhuna
Prof. P.	Hewage	University of Ruhuna
Dr. Rajan	Hoole	University of Jaffna
Dr. Kirupa	Hoole	University of Jaffna
Mr J.H.S.K.	Jayamaha	Open University of Sri Lanka
Ms. R.	Jayaneththi	University of Peradeniya
Mr. G. G.	Jayarathne	University of Moratuwa
Dr. T.	Jayasingham	Eastern University of Sri Lanka
Dr. R. D.	Jayasinghe	University of Peradeniya
Dr. Prabhath	Jayasinghe	University of Colombo
Dr. R.	Jayasinghe	University of Peradeniya
Dr. Vajira	Jayasinghe	University of Peradeniya
Dr. B. C.	Jayawardana	University of Peradeniya
Prof. U. de. S.	Jayawardena	University of Peradeniya
Dr. Janaki	Jayawardena	Univeristy of Colombo
Dr. Ananda	Jayawickrama	University of Peradeniya
Ms. H. A. C.	Jeewanthi	University of Ruhuna
Dr. Silan	Kadirgamar	University of Jaffna
Mr. S.	Kahandagamage	University of Ruhuna
Dr. Pavithra	Kailasapathy	University of Colombo
Dr. D.	Karunanayake	University of Peradeniya
Mr. M. S. M.	Karunarathne	University of Ruhuna
Dr. A. H. G. K.	Karunaraththna	University of Sri Jayawardenapura
Mr. A. C.	Karunaratna	University of Ruhuna
Dr. D. G. G. P.	Karunaratne	University of Peradeniya
Mr. Nandasiri	Keembiyahetti	University of Ruhuna
Prof G.	Keerawella	University of Peradeniya
Dr. S.I.	Keethaponcalan	University of Salisbury
Dr. S. P.	Kodituwakku	University of Peradeniya
Dr. Shamala	Kumar	University of Peradeniya
Prof. Vijay	Kumar	Formerly University of Peradeniya
Prof. N. S.	Kumar	Formerly University of Peradeniya
Dr. Kumudu Kusum	Kumara	University of Colombo
Mr. W. A. M.	Kumara	University of Ruhuna
Dr. P. A. P.S.	Kumara	University of Ruhuna
Prof. Amal S.	Kumarage	University of Moratuwa
Dr. Pivithuru	Kumarasinghe	University of Sri Jayawardenapura
Mr. W. M. R.	Laksiri	University of Ruhuna
Mrs. R.	Liyanage	University of Peradeniya
Prof. R. P.	Mahaliayanaarachchi	Sabaragamuwa University
Mr. R.	Maheswaran	University of Peradeniya
Ven.Dr. U.	Mahinda	University of Ruhuna
Dr. D. H. S.	Maithripala	University of Peradeniya
Ven. Makola	Mangala	University of Ruhuna
Dr. A.	Manipura	University of Peradeniya
Mr. S.	Mantillake	University of Peradeniya
Ms. Prabha	Manuratne	University of Kelaniya
Dr. A. L. M.	Mauroof	University of Peradeniya
Dr. Vivimarie V.	Medwattegedera	Open University of Sri Lanka
Dr. Madhava	Meegaskumbura	University of Peradeniya
Dr. R.	Meegaskumbura	University of Peradeniya
Prof. Nayani	Melagoda	Univeristy of Colombo
Dr. Mahim	Mendis	Open University of Sri Lanka
Dr. Iresha	Mendis	University of Peradeniya
Dr N.	Morais	Open University of Sri Lanka
Mr. M. S.	Nanayakkara	University of Ruhuna
Dr. B. G. T. L.	Nandasena	University of Peradeniya
Prof. A. M.	Navaratna Bandara	University of Peradeniya
Dr Vasuki	Nesiah	New York University
Mr. S. N.	Niles	University of Moratuwa
Prof. Mahesan	Niranjan	University of Southampton
Mr. K. S. G. S.	Nishantha	University of Ruhuna
Prof. M. A.	Nuhman	University of Peradeniya
Prof. Gananath	Obeyesekere	Formerly Princeton University
Prof. Ranjini	Obeyesekere	Formerly Princeton University
Dr. R.	Palamakumbura	University of Peradeniya
Mr. W. A.	Palitha	University of Ruhuna
Dr. R. W.	Pallegama	University of Peradeniya
Dr. Gihan	Panagoda	University of Peradeniya
Mr. Upali	Pannilage	University of Ruhuna
Prof. A.	Parakrama	University of Peradeniya
Dr. M. P.	Paranagama	University of Peradeniya
Dr. Dharmasena	Pathiraja	Formerly Univeristy of Colombo
Prof. S. D.	Pathirana	University of Peradeniya
Mr. L. K. K.	Peiris	University of Ruhuna
Dr. H. R. D.	Peiris	University of Peradeniya
Dr. P.	Perera	University of Peradeniya
Mr. K. E. D.	Perera	University of Ruhuna
Dr M.E.R	Perera	Open University of Sri Lanka
Prof. Kapila	Perera	University of Moratuwa
Dr. Himan	Punchihewa	University of Moratuwa
Dr. D. D. J.	Punchihewa	University of Sri Jayawardenapura
Mr. A.	Rajapaksha	University of Peradeniya
Mr. W. P. S.	Rajapaksha	University of Ruhuna
Prof. R. M. G.	Rajapakshe	University of Peradeniya
Prof. Dharma	Rajapakshe	University of Ruhuna
Mr. K. H.	Ramanayake	University of Ruhuna
Dr. H.	Rambukwella	Open University of Sri Lanka
Mr. R. A. S. P.	Ranabahu	University of Ruhuna
Dr. D.	Randeniya	University of Peradeniya
Mr. S.	Rasnayake	University of Peradeniya
Mr. R. M. D. D.	Rathnayake	University of Ruhuna
Mr Sithumini	Ratnamalala	University of Moratuwa
Dr. A. C.	Ratnaweera	University of Peradeniya
Dr. Prasanna	Ratnaweera	Open University of Sri Lanka
Mr. Rohana	Ratnayake	Open University of Sri Lanka
Dr. Anura	Ratnayake	University of Ruhuna
Mr. L. K. G.	Roshana	University of Ruhuna
Dr. A. J.	Ruhunuhewa	University of Ruhuna
Dr. T. S.	Samarakoon	University of Peradeniya
Attoney-at-Law D.	Samararatne	University of Colombo
Prof. Gameela	Samarasinghe	University of Colombo
Ms. Tanuja	Sandanayake	University of Moratuwa
Mr. A. P.	Santhasiri	University of Ruhuna
Dr. I. M. S.	Sathyaprasad	University of Peradeniya
Dr. Nihal	Senanayake	Open University of Sri Lanka
Mr. G.	Senarath	University of Ruhuna
Dr. Hiniduma Sunil	Senevi	Sabaragamuwa University
Prof. K. G. S. C.	Seneviratne	University of Peradeniya
Prof. Rev. Agalakada	Sirisumana	Univeristy of Colombo
Dr. S.	Sivamohan	University of Peradeniya
Dr. Daya	Somasundaram	University of Jaffna
Dr. H. P.	Sooriyaarachchi	University of Ruhuna
Dr. H. N. S.	Soysa	University of Peradeniya
Dr. B. M.	Sumanaratne	University of Ruhuna
Mr. Chandraguptha	Thenuwara	University of Visual and Performing Arts
Dr. Sharika	Thiranagama	University of Stanford
Mr. Dayapala	Thiranagama	Formerly University of Kelaniya
Prof. Asanga	Tilakaratne	University of Colombo
Dr. N.  D.	Udagama	University of Peradeniya
Dr. D.	Udakara	University of Peradeniya
Dr. Anura	Uthunmange	University of Sri Jayawardenapura
Prof. Jayadeva	Uyangoda	Univeristy of Colombo
Dr. Vidura	Vithana	University of Ruhuna
Prof. Manjula	Vithanapathirana	University of Colombo
Dr. L. D. Sarath	Vitharana	University of Kelaniya
Ven. N.	Wajiraghana	University of Ruhuna
Prof. K. S.	Walgama	University of Peradeniya
Dr. S. K.	Wanniarachchi	University of Ruhuna
Prof. S.	Wawwage	University of Ruhuna
Dr H.L.D	Weerahewa	Open University of Sri Lanka
Prof. Ruwan	Weerasekera	University of Moratuwa
Dr. A. R.	Weerasinghe	University of Colombo
Prof. P.	Wickramagamage	University of Peradeniya
Prof. C. S.	Wickramagamage	University of Peradeniya
Prof. Maithri	Wickramasinghe	University of Kelaniya
Dr. J. V.	Wijayakulasooriya	University of Peradeniya
Ms. Gayatri	Wijekoon	University of Peradeniya
Mr. S.	Wijeratne	University of Ruhuna
Mr. Wimal	Wijesinghe	University of Ruhuna
Mr. W. A. N. D.	Wijesinghe	University of Ruhuna
Mr. T. R.	Wijesundara	University of Ruhuna
Dr. Tilak	Wijesundara	University of Ruhuna
Prof. R. L.	Wijeyeweera	University of Peradeniya
Mr. N. A.	Wimalasena	University of Peradeniya
Mr. P. H.	Wimalasiri	University of Ruhuna
Mr B.D.	Witharana	Open University of Sri Lanka