Thu, 28 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

The tragi-comedy of Sri Lankan politics

By

7 June 2018 12:00 am - 1     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first - Ronald Reagan

 

In times of a national crisis the ideal is for all parties to sit down and talk. Though it was finally the war that brought an end to the protracted war here in Sri Lanka even the LTTE from time to time agreed to sit down with the Sri Lankan government. Call it premeditated still it did.  

It is a fact that Sri Lanka is currently going through a period of gross instability. There’s indeed a crisis both economic and political. The panic-stricken average voter is left wondering how the leaders both government and the opposition can leave the country in the present state and continue to play petty political games. Daily a new episode or two is added to the unfolding political drama – the number game in parliament while the distraught voter hopes and prays for a miracle that would awaken the leaders to the pathetic state of affairs.  

If our leaders love the country or are willing to put the country before self they should sit together and look for solutions. While the internal politics in the government has triggered the crisis there’s no doubt the joint opposition is only making matters worse by instigating trade unions, university students and even medical doctors to take to streets or launch sudden strikes however much harm and harassment that may be caused to the citizens, especially the poor. Essential services are disrupted and traffic snarls created by protests and walks have only gone to make the already stressed up citizen more miserable. While the country’s growth is stunted and cost of living is skyrocketing people are being taxed left and right though they are not getting benefits in return.   

Meanwhile, neither the President nor the prime minister nor the joint opposition leader appears to be initiating a tripartite dialogue in the name of the hapless citizen to come out of this political quagmire. Instead the leaders continue with the blame game – some wailing day and night while others are busy going for the pound of flesh at every crisis.   

Tuesday’s events in Parliament indicated that most people, including party leaders did not know who is on what side and for whom. The event was the election of the Deputy Speaker to replace Thilanga Sumathipala who has not only lost his post in Parliament but also was run out of Sri Lanka Cricket. The United National Party proposed Monaragala District Parliamentarian Ananda Kumarasiri while former minister S.B. Dissanayake proposed former state minister Sudarshani Fernandopulle. Both Mr. Dissanayake and Ms. Fernandopulle are supporters of President Maithripala Sirisena and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) but now they are sitting in the opposition. The secret ballots gave Mr. Kumarasiri a victory by 98 votes to 53 but no one is really sure who voted for whom while more than 70 MPs were not present at the time of voting with members of the joint opposition, the Tamil National Alliance and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna reported to have left Parliament when the vote was called. This is an indication of the chaos and crisscrossing loyalties.   

We hope that at least for the next 18 months the UNP and the pro-Sirisena SLFP group will work together to bring in more foreign investments and provide more jobs for the youth though Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s ‘Gamperaliya’ may be limited to something like Lester James Peries’ dream film.  


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 1

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Sangaralingham Friday, 08 June 2018 09:22 AM

    I assume politics is second old profession the first is well known to most I hope. How come the second oldest become least respected in some countries which I assume is one based on recent history ours may be one of manywith no hope for social cultural improvement top of it bring the honourable religions personal virtues down with it although the latter is not standing up to its merit what society expects it.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H

MIRROR CRICKET

More