(May 10, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) A loud song (preferred by the masses) disturbs the neighbourhood through a public address system when Saku has just put her baby to sleep. The sound system is so badly handled due to technical defects that the song becomes a mere jargon. The song suddenly stopped for a speech by a candidate at forthcoming election for his "manape" (preferential vote) at least.
Election campaigning at all times of the day has posed a common problem to both city dwellers as well as those living in suburbs. Leave alone old people, and patients, children sitting for exams at schools cannot carry out their work undisturbed. The parents watch helplessly with a fervent hope that everything will be over and their tolerance will be duly compensated once a new government comes into power.
Despite the people’s awareness of the policies of their respective parties and the principles of their candidates, politicians continue to disturbthe peaceful lives of people.
Almost every afternoon (very often early sometimes) even late meetings are held in densely populated areas of the city. The chaos created by the roads leaving clogged with heavy traffic, emitting poisonous fumes by ramshackle .traffic, sounds of speeches relayed over the air through public address systems and megaphones cause health problems that no government could solve.
The screeching voices of candidates making promises that will rarely come into reality when in power spoil even the sanctityof prayers of the devotees. At the other end enviorenment pollution is at its worst to-day when polythene is used liberally for streamers or rally pallam. Some of them are hung on every nook and corner, even telecommunication posts are not spared interupting the proper relay of messages. The banners and cut outs are worse. Though they help a few to earn a fast buck producing them, they do more harm than good. The motorists distracted by its presence while driving could even cause minor accidents. When on lookers gaze at them through curiosity, they cause confusion among pedestrianswith wide open eyes, and cause them to be run over by vehicles through their ignorance. Election violence is nothing new to us Sri Lankans, with damage to public and private property as well.
Even pregnant mothers at government clinics waiting their turn for consultation has a common rude question to ask É For which party are you voting this time? Government and private office canteens are centres where they talk endlessly on the good and bad deeds of political parties that have been carried out so far. What a waste of time!! Some of them make a fervent effort to hide the misdeeds of their favourite politicians. The housewives spare no time speaking of the rising cost of living their common problems and about the prices of gas, electricity and water not sparing food items especially the inevitable bread!
So-called supporters sporting their party colours (both men and women) try to show off their support in order to be recognized in society when the particular party comes into power. Women and men of this calibre spend their valuable time abusing the government or the president just to be noticed by the public.
How about the drivers of school service vans? they wait till the schools closing time approaches, engaged in small talk but politics! Their topics of conversations vary as to whether the price of fuel will be brought down once the new government comes into power.
At a random selection made by us we interviewed the public on their views on propaganda work as follows:
Mr. X a businessman who runs a readymade garment factory said: I get very annoyed when I am caught up in a traffic jam especially when I rush to the bank É I suffer mentally fearing that a bomb blast would take place at any moment and may become a victim. The thing that annoys me most is to see a politician decked with garlands parading on the road, with his supporters or standing at the rear of a vehicle and making an exhibition of himself, with folded palms while a cacophony of his speech is relayed from a loudspeaker in modulated voice begging for votes É while the "pandam karayas and the ul-pandam karayas shout out in one voice "Jayawewa"!!
Mrs. Y É A grandmother said. I hate when the pandam karayas keep on banging on the gate, I have to tie the dogs É I control my temper with great difficulty and make an effort to smile.
Miss P É a school teacher from Maradana said "Each time I see a crowd escorting a politician I feel nervous as I imagine a lighted cracker hitting me at any moment. I seek coverage under the nearest shelter but it doesn’t work always.
According to an employee at an advertising agency the expenses on cutouts, banners, decorations, refreshment coverage through media, etc. could be brought down to a great extent if a rate survey is made through an advertising firm on the possible number of votes a candidate could get from his area.
A political analyst said a balanced use of print and electronic media for all party candidates to express their views and plans will be more beneficial than money spent on decorations and announcements made on public highways.
- Sri Lanka Guardian
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