Irrelevancies In A Time Of National Tragedy
Dr. Upatissa Pethiyagoda
I
find it a supreme irony that while our nation (and perhaps the World)
is battling with existential needs, our politicians are engaged (indeed
obsessed) with the desire for electing a Parliament. The Commissioner of
Elections has estimated that the cost would be some 2.4 billion. Our
Nation is in dire financial trouble, and faces great threat, if we are
unable to honour our loan obligations. Massive requirements for meeting
costs of long delayed and basic needs for water (irrigation, CKDU
control), Environment related issues (erosion, deforestation, Dengue),
Drug Addiction, Crime, Corruption, Poor schools, Ill-equipped Hospitals,
Inadequate Power supplies and many, many more.
Widespread theft (including the Central Bank, EPF, NSB, MP’s Duty
Free Car Permits etc.). But do we care? Why don’t us people do
something about this Bloody Circus? Let me be among the first, but not
the last, to declare my disgust. I have done so in several of my
“Opinion” pieces. I am driven to do so for many reasons, as my
conscience pricks with a hopeless anger at the price which all of us get
this charade of “democracy”. Our poor fools devour this crap
unthinkingly, enabling a poor quality to move to an exalted, unmerited
bunch of privileges. I
have grave doubts that a further round will help to dispatch the
criminals into their deserved place (Jumper Suits and all) but just
short of suggesting that the newly acquired ropes (at obviously enormous
cost) and newly recruited Hangmen (of whom, I heard that one has
retired, because he was bored with inaction) may help.
Please do not think that I consider all Politicians as rotten. There
have been, and are, and will be persons of stature, integrity,
competence, well read, decent and truly “Honourable” gentlemen and
ladies. But sadly, they are still too few. Some may even become like the
majority and learn, practice and join the heap. As the proverb has it
“When a fish begins to rot, it starts at the Head” As most poltikkas
consider themselves as Heads, the suspect field diminishes. As a stray
thought, just as flocks, (sheep) herds (cows), packs (Jackals), and
shoals (fish) denote collective nouns for their species, how many know
that the collective noun for Parliaments is (believe it or not)
“Baboon”. So we have a herd of sheep but a baboon of Parliaments!
But to return to my earlier point, why don’t the miniscule number of
admirable MP’s not see that their “Honour” is not sullied by those many
who are “integrity- challenged” ? Is it a matter of indifference, fear,
timidity or an easy conscience? While
faulting them for going along with the less virtuous, may they be
reminded that “Those who lie with dogs, will awaken with fleas”.
I have resolutely held that governance cannot be entrusted to the likes
of incompetent know-alls. It is only persons who have proven successful
in their chosen professions, merit selection for managing the affairs of
State. The majority who have come through the political ladder –
District Councils, Provincial Councils as their sole qualifications for
political office, are unlikely to excel. These symbols of
Decentralization have really become “Schools for Scoundrels”
To me, it is plain rubbish to talk about “Experience” being the
pre-requisite for success in politics. Contrarily, politics remains one
profession where “Experience” is of negative value. President JRJ
justified a huge increase of his Presidential fortunes, while doing
little to alleviate the conditions of the Public Servants, with the
celebrated justification that “the President” was just one while the
Public Service was a million!”.
He should also be held principally responsible for obscene increases of
allowances for Parliamentarians. It was possibly a sinister move by a
“Sly Fox” to secure support. The dishonest assertion was that increasing
their income will deter them from robbing the Public Purse. What this
actually did was not to reduce venality, but rather whet the appetite of
an already hungry but over-fed mob.
