Lawmakers and the art of hanging on - EDITORIAL

It has been a hectic year for all of us; especially for the lawmakers who have had to continue their ‘act’ in trying to prove to the people that they are worth the salaries paid to them. 
What’s alarming is that we hear of at least one leading television station planning to invite some of these failed lawmakers to an upcoming Christmas TV show during the festive seasons. As much as all media institutes have a responsibility to expose these lawmakers who have fooled the public what’s cause for concern is a section of this media batting for politicians and making attempts to keep them in the limelight. 

Lawmakers know that people or the voters are vulnerable. This is worse during these challenging times when the average citizen cannot make ends meet with the salary one draws at the end of the month. These lawmakers would want any situation favouring them to remain unchanged. Top on the list of wants of lawmakers is to see the mindset of the voter to remain unchanged. 
We still see the indiscipline in people surface during challenging times. How many, still jump the queue at shopping malls, disregard the private space of another person and are rude to the driver who waits patiently at the zebra crossing to ensure all goes well till the last person wanting to get to the other side of the road does so safely. Patience, being sensitive, having a solid upbringing and above all courtesy shown to fellow human beings might just be what lawmakers hate to see as essentials that people must cultivate and preserve as essential human qualities. Any desired system change would remain an unthinkable dream to achieve if people of this island don’t drop their tribal mentality.  

When compared to a country like China, which is ruthlessly pursuing its goal of being the next superpower of the world for which purpose they leave religion out of the equation, Sri Lanka is a country which speaks much about the association of religion in day-to-day activities. But, still, despite the efforts taken to preserve Buddhism and also allow so many other religions to exist in this nation, the islanders are wanting in the acts of promoting the dictum ‘live and let live’ and laying out a level playing field for people to do business. 

We get to hear of murder, children going missing and lawmakers plundering state funds and cheating the public even in present times. This certainly is not a thing of the past. All members of the cabinet and the president are at the moment not true representatives of the people. It is in this context that people of this country are demanding the conducting of the local government polls; even though some sections of the society might opine that this is not the time to spend money on conducting a poll when the country’s economy is on life-support. 

This is a Buddhist majority country, but sadly the saffron robed monks haven’t been stern enough with the rulers of this nation in putting them in their place and making them more accountable in handling finances and serving the country and its people. There have been instances in the rich history of this nation when monks have made rulers kneel down or ousted them from power. People wish that history repeats itself at a time like this. 

This was a country which once had a supreme place for the law. But today we see so many cases being dropped. That is why we see individuals like Sandya Ekneligoda going in front of that powerful godess and asking for justice. Many believe she god her justice. 
So lets hope that the new year ushers in a new beginning where the people of this country gets law abiding lawmakers and with it prosperity for everybody.