At present there is a trend in global politics to introduce new leaders. This trend has influenced our country as well. That’s why in the previous election people voted for a change. Definitely this trend will be moral support to our independent group and youngsters will enjoy our policies, said Dr. Pathum Sankalpana Kerner, contesting the upcoming polls as Independent Group 4.
Q. You are a medical doctor by profession, serving the military. What made you enter politics?
A: Two main reasons drew me towards politics. One is ‘green politics’ and the other is ‘system change’ in the current political system by connecting new leaders from different backgrounds.
I believe green politics should be introduced to our public policy and there should be awareness regarding environmental wisdom among parliamentarians. Nurturing a passion for green policy, I decided to contest the upcoming election.
At the same time I desire a Parliament comprising competent parliamentarians. Former Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew has said that new talented leaders should be encouraged to take to politics and we should have certain methodology. At present we have no such methodology or green policy in the country. I really wish to introduce them in our political system.
Q. Amid the strict Covid-19 regulations how do you manage to take forward your political campaign?
A: As a doctor I was able to manage my campaign within the health regulations.
I made a change from the ‘door to door ‘campaign to a ‘gate to gate’ campaign.
We just went up to the gates and distributed leaflets. Ours is a new independent group, therefore, we have small teams of supporters with us. We conduct pocket meetings with clusters of people who are either relatives or in the same neighbourhood.
Q. You have many expectations for the nation, but why did you choose an independent group without contesting for a popular political party?
A: I don’t think popular political parties can make a turnover in the current system and they haven’t changed the country so far. Usually actors, the rich and those from a political background enter politics and the people are also used to that system.
What I want is a change in the current political system. Therefore I started a new political party called, ‘National Green Front’ (NGF). However, due to the process it got delayed to be registered as a political party before the nominations and, therefore, I decided to contest as a new independent group.
Q. If you are elected to Parliament would you later join any of the governing party or would you act independently?
A: I will never join any parties or make alliances. My party’s registration is still pending. Once it is completed we will contest via our original party NGF for the Provincial Council election.
Gradually, we will establish our party in the next five years and at the next parliamentary election our party will contest islandwide.
Q. What is your vision for the future of the country?
A: We need at least 30 years to rebuild this country in various aspects. Within that period we can transform Sri Lanka as a first world country from where it is now, a third world country. We have defined fifty five pages of blue print for it and this document is available on my website.
This is our political manifesto as well. These actions are not immediate plans, it would take 30 years to accomplish it. Our main task is to establish green politics within the country. As a party we have decided to continue with this same manifesto for all elections within the next thirty years and we will be updating it with the global economy.
Q. How do you view people’s interest towards green politics and your victory in the upcoming parliamentary election?
A: These days our campaign has reached a peak. Definitely our independent group will win and it will be a major milestone in Sri Lanka’s political history since 1977.
At present there is a trend in global politics to introduce new leaders in addition to existing politicians. This trend has influenced our country as well. That’s why in the previous election people voted for a change.
Definitely this trend will be moral support to our independent group and youngsters will enjoy our policies. Future leaders of the country should be from different backgrounds instead of politics.
If there is good leadership, efficient administration and rule of law we can transform the country to become a great destination.