Intellectuals should be appointed to the parliament through National List, former Sri Lankan minister says

It is important to build the economy of the country with the knowledge and wisdom of professionals and to that end intellectuals should be appointed to the Parliament through the National List, a former minister said.


Participating in a live discussion at the state-run radio, Former Minister DEW Gunasekara said the professionals will not be able to enter the parliament if the nominations are not made accordingly.

During the discussion, the former minister pointed out that the Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna performed poorly receiving a very low vote base in the April 8 general election.

The Marxist alliance received a lower vote base of around 6 percent at the recently concluded election compared to the 13 percent they received at the 2004 election where they contested with the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance.

Minister Gunasekara also discussed the need to change the present electoral system in the country.