Good Governance: Nepotism Continues

( August 22, 2015, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The end of the 2015 General Election saw to the appointment of many MP’s, who are from the same family circles; some father and son and some, brothers. The UPFA Kurunegala District candidate – Mahinda Rajapaksa and his son – UPFA Hambantota District candidate – Namal Rajapaksa are two such figures.

Also, the UNP MP Rajitha Senaratne and his son Chathura were elected to parliament after contesting from the Gampaha and Kalutara districts. The Former minister Arjuna Ranatunga and former Western provincial councilor Prasanna Ranatunga, who contested the General election as political rivals, are both elected to the parliament. But, Their younger brother – Ruwan Ranatunga however, was defeated.

Similarly, the Aluthgamage brothers – Mahindananda and Ananda, who was elected from the Kandy District, are political rivals. In the Meanwhile, Hambantota District MP – Chamal Rajapaksa, the former Speaker, is the brother of Mahinda Rajapaksa. Their niece, former minister Nirupama Rajapaksa was defeated at the election.

Nuwara Eliya District MP Navin Dissanayake and Kandy District MP Mayantha Dissanayake are brothers. Navin is also the son-in-law of the UNP National List MP – Karu Jayasuriya. There is also a husband and wife in the new parliament, namely the UNP MP Daya Gamage and his wife Anoma, who was named as a UNP National List MP.