How honourable are the ’Honourable’ few

14 May 2012 06:30 pm - 1 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

By Edward Gunawardena

The recent episode of disgraceful behaviour by a few members of Parliament made me wonder why these villains of the peace are referred to as ‘Honourable’ members. As a matter of fact I also began to wonder why only a few enjoy the honourifix ‘Honourable’ when the majority of the citizens are law abiding people leading honourable lives.
A rustic coconut plucker making an honest living and enjoying good neighbourly relations is a far more honourable than state paid, elected representatives of the people who use obscene language and exchange blows within parliament particularly in the solemn presence of the President and the full gaze of dignitaries in the galleries and Television cameras.
I see no reason why ordinary good citizens interacting with politicians at for example ceremonial occasions should be slighted or even insulted by only the politicians being referred to as ‘Honourable’. This archaic practice has to be done away with forthwith. If there is a legal impediment it is paramount that such law be repealed.
How and when did this nonsensical practice commence? As far as I am aware this has obscure beginnings dating back to British Colonial times. The use of honourifixes before titular rank is an ancient British tradition dating back to the feudal era of British history.
All ministers including the Prime Minister the Speaker and members of Parliament are addressed as ‘Honourable’. Members of the Privy Council of Britain are addressed as ‘Right Honourable’. D.S. Senanayake and Sir John Kotalawala when made members of the Privy Council were addressed as Right Honourable. The Sinhala term for ‘Honourable’ is ‘Garu’. Athi Garu appears to be the Sinhala version of Right Honourable. Today the President of Sri Lanka is addressed Athi Garu in Sinhala and Your Excellency in English! J.R. Jayewardene, the first executive President as well as William Gopallawa the last Governor General were addressed as ‘Uthumanani’ in Sinhala and ‘Your Excellency in English!
I really do not know whether there exists a law in Sri Lanka compelling people to address certain select individuals as ‘Honourable’. Or is it that we are still faithfully following a British tradition
In a way we should be happy that the real significance of the term ‘Honourable’ has got diluted. Today, at public meetings, in posters and banners advertising political tamashas and sometimes even in leading newspapers petty local government political pups and even rogues and vagabonds are referred to as ‘Honourable’.

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

BADA-UDA-GEMMBA Monday, 14 May 2012 08:10 PM

There are honorable people.
Also there are ROGUES,CROOKS,PERVERTS AND CRIMINALS with this tag even here in the UK!!!!
It is time to HONOUR-RE-FIX this honourifix prefix and HONOUR and RESPECT only those that deserve tihs "prefix".
The others can be called whatever is suitable.!!!!!

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.

How honourable are the ’Honourable’ few

Comments - 1

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

Religion: Not for public debate

Driving into Colombo’s money spinning car parks!

The runaway prophet?

Veil of uncertainty covering naked truth behind death of schoolgirl

Unwanted attention

Lurking predators make some temples unsafe for novice monks

Reforming abortion law in Sri Lanka

Most Viewed in News

Nathasha Edirisooriya arrested at airport over remarks on Buddhism

Several arrested for smashing Green Lanka building in Nawam Mawatha

Did you attend Natasha’s comedy show? Police will quiz you

Navin Dissanayake’s Tweet on Standup comedy irks British comedian Ricky Gervais

BIA bumps Ven. Ajahn Brahmawanso Thera from Bangkok flight to make way for Dinesh

Sweden registers sex as sport-- Will host first-ever European sex championship ?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Nabbed by Customs at BIA with gold worth Rs.85Mn French gold smuggler remanded after failing to pay fine of Rs.70Mn

Millennium City Case against ASP Kulasiri Udugampola fixed for defence evidence

Select committee to look into economic crisis Terms of Reference to be changed

Unruly air passenger incidents on the rise: IATA

MIRROR CRICKET

Overlooked Dilshan Madushanka takes four wickets against South Africa ‘A’

Pakistan may pull out of Asia Cup after Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh reject ’Hybrid Model’: Report

World Test final takes centre stage amid T20 boom

Afghanistan Fined 20% Match Fee for Slow Over-Rate in First ODI vs Sri Lanka

SLC appoints four-member technical committee for LPL

Overlooked Dilshan Madushanka takes four wickets against South Africa ‘A’

Pakistan may pull out of Asia Cup after Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh reject ’Hybrid Model’: Report

World Test final takes centre stage amid T20 boom