Full Name - Chamali Fernando
Hometown - Born in Leicester but lives in London
Birthday - February 1
Idols - Margaret Thatcher and my mum. Maggie fought hard to make it in a man’s world without losing sight of her principles. My mother has been a brilliant pillar of strength, is multi-talented and has no fear.
Passions - International cuisine, politics and netball.
Favourite Colour - Blue
How was qualifying as a barrister from the Inns of Court School of Law and what made you choose Law as your career?
Qualifying as a barrister gave me a sense of freedom, nervousness and excitement all at the same. Once you qualify you step away from the protection of an academic institution and are suddenly a part of the big wide world. A lecturer once told me if you turn the pages of any good broadsheet, every article is founded in either politics or law. He was right, the law is all around us and it was this that persuaded me to be a part of the legal process and actually use the law to help other people. On the flip side, a career at the bar requires long hours and a lot of reading usually in isolation. You might finish in Court at 4pm but the preparation for the next day can take its toll on your body, sleep patterns and social life. It is nowhere near as glamorous as the US hit series “Suits” implies. Being of Sri Lankan descent, meant in the late nineties only four career options were considered viable: law, engineering, medicine or accounting!
What are your thoughts on life in Sri Lanka?
I have never lived in Sri Lanka so I am probably not qualified to comment. From speaking to three-wheeler drivers, hoteliers and staff and the locals, there is apprehension as to the country’s political and economic future, food and daily living is expensive for the ordinary person but there are some wonderful initiatives taking place. I felt very honoured to be invited to a Symposium on Sustainable Agriculture, the innovation in natural fertilisation and organic growth systems is unparalleled, it is a real pity that we keep these secrets and eco-friendly tricks to ourselves in Sri Lanka, we should be asking the world to wake up and smell the coffee.
As a tourist, the excessive heat, humidity and mosquitoes present an eternal challenge but Sri Lanka has so much to offer a traveller, from tropical birds, fruits, plants, beautiful beaches, watersports and stunning natural landscapes with amazing archeological and wildlife trails.
As a parliamentary candidate for the city of Cambridge, what did you want to change or contribute?
My campaign focused on building a greener, fairer and more sustainable society. I had hoped the people of Cambridge would endorse the possibility of their City becoming a benchmark for this goal. I firmly believe in equality of opportunity, improving quality of life by creating job opportunities and giving people the freedom to better themselves.
Why politics?
There is a very natural relationship between law and politics in the UK and each has for the other a set of cross-transferable skills. The opportunity to shape the legislation of Britain and debate policy at a higher level is what appeals most and knowing that I would be able to make a greater difference to people’s lives by being in parliament. Winning legal arguments in court is great and usually leaves you with a happy client with no complaints, politics is different the arguments are broader, sometimes the decisions taken will be tough and lead to complaints, but the focus is on the national or international picture and has a greater impact on a greater number of people.
What plans for 2016?
I would like to build my international profile and travel more. Celebrity Chef Rick Stein has opened my eyes to the wonders of Kerala.
Tell me about your family. How close are you to them?
Very close, it lends itself well to a good support mechanism and an endless debating forum!
Your thoughts on the importance of women in politics. What do think about the Sri Lankan parliament?
I feel it is hugely important for women to contribute to political life in order for policies and laws to be framed around a society that is dynamic, evolutionary, caring and compassionate. Democracy demands that the social composition of parliament reflects modern Britain.
Sri Lanka broke boundaries with the first female Premier in history. Now, that world first should be recaptured with a much higher female representation in parliament.
Prime Minister Wickremasinghe has stated that Sri Lanka is, 'a political culture and process in transition.' Consequently, the televising of parliament in Sri Lanka will broaden the quality of debate and conduct within the chamber.
If you could change one thing about Sri Lankan politics, what would it be?
To shift the focus from personality to policy.
If given a chance, who would you bring back in to power from our political circle and why?
Lakshman Kadirgamar, he was a force of unity for Sri Lanka, fair, eloquent and highly educated, a true international statesman. He once told the UN to stay out of the island’s conflict and “focus on malaria and mosquitoes.” I first met him in England, I was about 15 years old, he made an after-dinner speech at the Cricketers’ Dinner Dance. He received a standing ovation for that speech, it had the right amount of wit, humour and insightful.
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
Paul Walker.
In the spot
Did you believe in the 100 day plan?
Everyone needs a plan. I think the idea of a 100-day plan is important and a great way of imposing a self-assessment standard on the elected official or party by which the electorate can also measure performance. In the West, the media will measure your ability on your first 100 days in office whether you set the agenda or not.
20th Amendment?
This is complex and meaty proposal that parliamentarians of all political persuasions in Sri Lanka have a duty to explain to the general public and international community.
The new government?
Coalition Government, as experienced in the UK, had a number of challenges; in particular maintaining a consistent legislative agenda and the proactive implementation of a joint manifesto. At one point, both parties had to coalescence towards the common good while maintaining their independence. Even harder is a level of deference towards the majority party within the agreement. The 2015 General Election results in England showed that for the Liberal Democrats this and being in government was a step too far for their party. Consequently, the results of future elections at a local and national level will be the report card for the new government in Sri Lanka.
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