Why This Appetite For 225 Plus?
S. Sivathasan
A state and a government of worth, place little value on the size of its legislature or the magnitude of its cabinet. The quality of governance and the health of the economy are determined by criteria other than these two. Judged by any standard, no country has ever shown a relationship between representational strength and political stability, economic growth or social peace. Why is Sri Lanka hankering after an increase to 235 or 237 or 255? Is it that a few more heads will make a difference to the wisdom deficit of 225? Why this insatiable appetite for more and more and yet more from independence to now?
Some of the countries which have caught people’s attention may be examined to see whether those societies put their legislatures in perpetual expansion mode to arrive at their current position.
USA – The most powerful democracy in the world, having several firsts to her credit governed in1815 with 183 Representatives. In 1913 there were 435 members. In 2015 governance is with 435 members in the House of Representatives. There are 100 Senators besides. The two Houses exercise checks and balances. Presidential system one would say. But so was Sri Lanka from 1978 to January 2015. The latter had none of these oversights or restraints. In U S there has been no change in the size of her legislature for the last 102 years. The genius of the people made the difference. Ethnic diversity made the country strong.
Sri Lanka purchased a US dollar at Rs.5 in 1975. Today she buys at 27 times the price. This speaks for the weakness of the currency, a good index of the health of the economy. The collective wisdom of 225 legislators brought this about. Now they seek more of the same to redress the deficiency.Read More
