https://twitter.com/ZeeLara8/status/618267042140024832/photo/1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eran_Wickramaratne
Eran is the most honest person I have met. He was my classmate at Royal and was the head prefect. Although we were his friends we couldn't do anything wrong he would book us. Most politicians in Sri Lanka come with 0 in their pocket and leave with 100, but Eran has come with 100 in his pocket and now has 0. This is what someone else has written about him:
Eran stands out from the rest! Eran MUST be sent to Parliament – no doubt!
Why I Support Eran for Colombo and you should too - Please circulate
Firstly I have no personal agenda in writing this mail, neither have I been asked to. I do so expecting nothing in return and having not received anything at any point in time.
In Sri Lanka being a professional in Parliament is not easy, you earn a pittance of a salary and in most cases (unless you are a lawyer or a business owner) given the social stigma cannot find work outside Parliament to even supplement your needs. You can no longer enjoy the lifestyle you are used to, however settling for anything less affects the stature you are expected to maintain.
I first formally met with Eran about 8 years ago as he was a relation of my wife, he was then the CEO of NDB and the former Chairman of the ICTA which he had set up. He was an aspirational brand even then as a cricketer, the former head boy of Royal College and an Eisenhower Fellow. I had this idea in regards to mobile commerce and I from everything I heard about him, he was the best person to discuss it with. His plush office at the NDB was by far one of the nicest I had seen and took the better part of an entire floor, however even in those few minutes I realized the quality of the gentlemen in the way he spoke with me and how well he treated even his minor staff.
Since then I have heard so many stories about him and his time at NDB. One was that as the first CEO of the Bank, which at that time was one of the fastest growing banks in Sri Lanka, he had the choice of any vehicle at the bank's expense. Having grown up in an environment where a nice vehicle was a necessity I was surprised at his choice of a Toyota as opposed to the Mercedes S Class on offer. I later learnt that this was because he had begun an initiative to afford every staff member and his family at NDB a chance to travel abroad at the expense of the bank. How did he convince the board to make the massive expense required? he simply downgraded the cars of the senior executives, starting with himself. It was the first time that the immigration department ever visited a private establishment, issuing passports to drivers, peons, menial workers and their families. He did not just help come up with the slogan 'a world class Sri Lankan' for his staff, he wanted every staff member to experience what it was to be world class.
When he gave up a promising career at NDB as one of the youngest CEO's of an organization of that size, he stepped into a world of uncertainty, corruption and grey lines. His family gave up a lifestyle that moved them from the echelon's of Colombo's hierarchy to an association with a professional that was despised. Whereas previously politicians in Sri Lanka were birthed from political dynasties, family wealth or opportunistic support, Eran's agenda was pretty simple he had only his own savings during his tenure in Banking to keep him going over the next five years. However he had one objective in mind - change the political culture of a Nation that was deteriorating fast and serve people.
I remember seeing him going around in an old honda insight having had to sell his vehicle to raise the fund required to keep going. His office downgraded from Nawam Mawatha to the ground floor annex of a house, next to the shanti community in Kirulapone. No air conditioning, just an old computer and an office room table that served as the board room. I couldn't help but wonder if he regretted his decision, however it was clear in his conversation that his purpose was far greater than his environment or financial situation.
As you know Eran is running for Parliament this year from the Colombo District. Despite being in Parliament and in Government over the past 5 years, this is the first time he will contest in an election. This year unlike any other year the UNP is not only fielding its own candidates but also those from the opposition. The amount spent during the next month by candidates are estimated to be far greater than ever in the history of Sri Lanka.
Why is this? Simply put unlike any electoral system in the Western World, Sri Lankan elections are a very different kettle of fish.
The rules parliamentarians need to play by do not promote gentlemen to emerge, in fact it brings out the very worst elements into the electoral fray. Candidates that are full time Parliamentarians getting around Rs. 100,000 per month as a salary are expected to raise between Rs 30 million and Rs 100 million within a short space of time. Leading candidates raise close to Rs. 200 million which buys them extensive media coverage / posters / hand outs / election propaganda and so on.
As you can imagine even For even the most generous of philanthropists this is not an easy task, especially knowing that the money spent is not given to the poor but rather to pursue their own political agenda and intended future goodwill.
As I look at the spending happening around us, the only thing I can think of is who is it that is giving the politician the money to spend and how would we as a society have to pay for this in the years to come.
The answer in most cases is quite simple - "donations" by people or organizations. Now as you can imagine there are very few people that give anything with no expectation in return. The only people willing to dole out large amounts of money unfortunately are the elements of society that we do not agree with - unethical deals, anti-social agendas (drugs, casinos, ethanol, chemicals, artillery) and underworld elements. However in doing so the politician has to effectively make a deal with the devil and we all need to pay for the consequences during his time in office. For every customs official that needs to turn away when illegal goods are imported, for every tender that is awarded to the person proving low quality goods at exorbitant prices, for every vote that supports a bill that serves a self interest and every license or permit that is granted without due diligence - there is a corrupt minister somewhere.
We always look at solving societies issues in a micro level through ineffective punitive measures - but given how far down we have fallen as a society in a macro level from the incompetence of the police, the corruption of the judiciary, the low quality of education, the unavailability of good healthcare and social services - Isn't it time we looked at changing things from the top downwards?
Last week I saw how ever our President fell from grace, unable to stay away from the corruption that surrounded him. So many people pushing from all sides with so many agendas they cannot pursue given the absence of Mr Rajapakse. We need to change the system, not change the people. If the system works, the people will follow.
With less than a month in preparation for the biggest challenge in his life Eran is in a precarious position. Should he be elected, he will change the system from the inside, of this I am confident. There is no reason for him not to. This is not a profession he chose to make money or be in power. He will never take a bribe, he will never pursue quick fixes over the long term best interest of the Nation, he will ensure sound policy that will change lives and be a flawless representation of Sri Lankan values in the international stage. There has never been anyone close to Eran's calibre that has taken up politics and in my opinion if he does not get elected, no professional will ever do so again.
However to get into power he needs to spend a lot of money on publicity, this is inevitable truth of our political system at present. With those around him spending 10 times his ability, it would be political suicide for him not to. As he is not here to serve the interests of only a few this needs to come from his own limited resources or rely on the donations of a few that will want nothing in return except to see Sri Lanka as the best country it could ever be.
Unfortunately these people are few and far between.
Best Regards
Peter Senaratne (anura)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eran_Wickramaratne
Eran is the most honest person I have met. He was my classmate at Royal and was the head prefect. Although we were his friends we couldn't do anything wrong he would book us. Most politicians in Sri Lanka come with 0 in their pocket and leave with 100, but Eran has come with 100 in his pocket and now has 0. This is what someone else has written about him:
Eran stands out from the rest! Eran MUST be sent to Parliament – no doubt!
Why I Support Eran for Colombo and you should too - Please circulate
Firstly I have no personal agenda in writing this mail, neither have I been asked to. I do so expecting nothing in return and having not received anything at any point in time.
In Sri Lanka being a professional in Parliament is not easy, you earn a pittance of a salary and in most cases (unless you are a lawyer or a business owner) given the social stigma cannot find work outside Parliament to even supplement your needs. You can no longer enjoy the lifestyle you are used to, however settling for anything less affects the stature you are expected to maintain.
I first formally met with Eran about 8 years ago as he was a relation of my wife, he was then the CEO of NDB and the former Chairman of the ICTA which he had set up. He was an aspirational brand even then as a cricketer, the former head boy of Royal College and an Eisenhower Fellow. I had this idea in regards to mobile commerce and I from everything I heard about him, he was the best person to discuss it with. His plush office at the NDB was by far one of the nicest I had seen and took the better part of an entire floor, however even in those few minutes I realized the quality of the gentlemen in the way he spoke with me and how well he treated even his minor staff.
Since then I have heard so many stories about him and his time at NDB. One was that as the first CEO of the Bank, which at that time was one of the fastest growing banks in Sri Lanka, he had the choice of any vehicle at the bank's expense. Having grown up in an environment where a nice vehicle was a necessity I was surprised at his choice of a Toyota as opposed to the Mercedes S Class on offer. I later learnt that this was because he had begun an initiative to afford every staff member and his family at NDB a chance to travel abroad at the expense of the bank. How did he convince the board to make the massive expense required? he simply downgraded the cars of the senior executives, starting with himself. It was the first time that the immigration department ever visited a private establishment, issuing passports to drivers, peons, menial workers and their families. He did not just help come up with the slogan 'a world class Sri Lankan' for his staff, he wanted every staff member to experience what it was to be world class.
When he gave up a promising career at NDB as one of the youngest CEO's of an organization of that size, he stepped into a world of uncertainty, corruption and grey lines. His family gave up a lifestyle that moved them from the echelon's of Colombo's hierarchy to an association with a professional that was despised. Whereas previously politicians in Sri Lanka were birthed from political dynasties, family wealth or opportunistic support, Eran's agenda was pretty simple he had only his own savings during his tenure in Banking to keep him going over the next five years. However he had one objective in mind - change the political culture of a Nation that was deteriorating fast and serve people.
I remember seeing him going around in an old honda insight having had to sell his vehicle to raise the fund required to keep going. His office downgraded from Nawam Mawatha to the ground floor annex of a house, next to the shanti community in Kirulapone. No air conditioning, just an old computer and an office room table that served as the board room. I couldn't help but wonder if he regretted his decision, however it was clear in his conversation that his purpose was far greater than his environment or financial situation.
As you know Eran is running for Parliament this year from the Colombo District. Despite being in Parliament and in Government over the past 5 years, this is the first time he will contest in an election. This year unlike any other year the UNP is not only fielding its own candidates but also those from the opposition. The amount spent during the next month by candidates are estimated to be far greater than ever in the history of Sri Lanka.
Why is this? Simply put unlike any electoral system in the Western World, Sri Lankan elections are a very different kettle of fish.
The rules parliamentarians need to play by do not promote gentlemen to emerge, in fact it brings out the very worst elements into the electoral fray. Candidates that are full time Parliamentarians getting around Rs. 100,000 per month as a salary are expected to raise between Rs 30 million and Rs 100 million within a short space of time. Leading candidates raise close to Rs. 200 million which buys them extensive media coverage / posters / hand outs / election propaganda and so on.
As you can imagine even For even the most generous of philanthropists this is not an easy task, especially knowing that the money spent is not given to the poor but rather to pursue their own political agenda and intended future goodwill.
As I look at the spending happening around us, the only thing I can think of is who is it that is giving the politician the money to spend and how would we as a society have to pay for this in the years to come.
The answer in most cases is quite simple - "donations" by people or organizations. Now as you can imagine there are very few people that give anything with no expectation in return. The only people willing to dole out large amounts of money unfortunately are the elements of society that we do not agree with - unethical deals, anti-social agendas (drugs, casinos, ethanol, chemicals, artillery) and underworld elements. However in doing so the politician has to effectively make a deal with the devil and we all need to pay for the consequences during his time in office. For every customs official that needs to turn away when illegal goods are imported, for every tender that is awarded to the person proving low quality goods at exorbitant prices, for every vote that supports a bill that serves a self interest and every license or permit that is granted without due diligence - there is a corrupt minister somewhere.
We always look at solving societies issues in a micro level through ineffective punitive measures - but given how far down we have fallen as a society in a macro level from the incompetence of the police, the corruption of the judiciary, the low quality of education, the unavailability of good healthcare and social services - Isn't it time we looked at changing things from the top downwards?
Last week I saw how ever our President fell from grace, unable to stay away from the corruption that surrounded him. So many people pushing from all sides with so many agendas they cannot pursue given the absence of Mr Rajapakse. We need to change the system, not change the people. If the system works, the people will follow.
With less than a month in preparation for the biggest challenge in his life Eran is in a precarious position. Should he be elected, he will change the system from the inside, of this I am confident. There is no reason for him not to. This is not a profession he chose to make money or be in power. He will never take a bribe, he will never pursue quick fixes over the long term best interest of the Nation, he will ensure sound policy that will change lives and be a flawless representation of Sri Lankan values in the international stage. There has never been anyone close to Eran's calibre that has taken up politics and in my opinion if he does not get elected, no professional will ever do so again.
However to get into power he needs to spend a lot of money on publicity, this is inevitable truth of our political system at present. With those around him spending 10 times his ability, it would be political suicide for him not to. As he is not here to serve the interests of only a few this needs to come from his own limited resources or rely on the donations of a few that will want nothing in return except to see Sri Lanka as the best country it could ever be.
Unfortunately these people are few and far between.
Best Regards
Peter Senaratne (anura)
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