Empty seats, where have the MPs gone

By JAMILA HUSAIN   

As President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced in December last year, that it was mandatory for all 159 of its Parliamentarians to attend all Parliament sessions, more NPP MPs have remained absent since the beginning of this year leading to serious questions as to who represents the people.   
In fact, not only the government, more opposition Parliamentarians have also stayed away from Parliamentary sessions, rather than attending it, even on crucial days. According to statistics on the Parliament website, Parliament has held 64 sessions from January to end of July this year and as of figures available from 2022, per Parliamentary session costs the tax payers over Rs.32 million. The latest expenses are yet to be revealed by the Speaker’s office.   
For this year, at least 21 Parliamentarians, from both the opposition and NPP, have been marked absent for 30 days or more out of the 64 sessions held.In this list, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian from the Badulla district, Nayana Wasalathilaka has been marked as the most absent, with him attending only six out of the 64 Parliamentary sessions held so far this year.   
Palani Thigambaram, Leader of the National Union of Workers and an alliance member of the SJB, also ranked in the bottom three by being present only for 15 Parliamentary sessions.   
SJB Parliamentarian from the Ratnapura district, Waruna Liyanage, only attended 19 Parliamentary sessions.In the bottom list are also senior politicians Faizer Mustafa from the New Democratic Front and Minister of Agriculture K.D. Lalkantha who attended only 24 and 25 sessions respectively.   
From the ruling NPP, K. Ilankumaran from the Jaffna district hit rock bottom by attending only 25 Parliamentary sessions.SJB MP Kabir Hashim, TPA Leader Mano Ganesan and CWC Member Jeevan Thondaman also did not fare any better by attending only 28, 31 and 35 Parliamentary sessions respectively.   
SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has also shown a disappointing attendance by attending only 39 sessions.   
Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Thilakaratne has also attended only 31 Parliamentary sessions.   
In a positive note, Chief Opposition whip Gayantha Karunathileke, Minister of Ports and Transport Bimal Ratnayake, SLPP MP D.V. Chanaka and Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih have attended all 64 Parliamentary sessions.   
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has also performed exceptionally well by attending 63 sessions and missing only one along with UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake, SJB MP Mujibur Rahman and SLFP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara.   
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa attended 56 Parliamentary sessions.   
At the time of Parliamentary elections, politicians turn into pure public servants by pledging to work for their electorates and nation. From house to house visits to stage speeches, to massive social media campaigns, they show themselves to be the true representatives of the people. However, one thing we Sri Lankans have learnt quite well is that once these politicians are elected, neither are their pledges fulfilled and neither are the people’s concerns respected or debated upon. For some, being an MP is only limited to personal benefits.