It’s now the people’s choice, to change or not to change

In August what we need is a new Parliament. Recently when there was a demand mainly from politicians to reconvene the old Parliament, the people themselves remained indifferent. They felt it would only be a waste of time and money and they expressed their utmost contempt for the Parliament, although there was a time in the past when we were very proud of our Legislature.

That was when members like Dr N.M. Perera, Colvin R. de Silva, Dudley Senanayake, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and many others held forth eloquently on matters concerning the country and its future. Those were men of impeccable integrity immune to any form of corruption, and they were well known professionals and did not make politics their only means of livelihood for life.

In contrast, today’s Parliament is almost full of ‘professional’ politicians who lack any other means of livelihood. That’s one reason why they cling on to their seats in the House, some long past retirement age. Quite a few of them from both sides have many criminal allegations made against them, but since they are never charged and convicted in a court of law, they remain ‘innocent’ and eligible to be reelected. All enquiries regarding them end with a commission report which is then duly laid to rest in the archives not to be resurrected for the next 35 years!

Many of the MPs are not only corrupt but also unintelligent and uneducated, totally unfit to be our legislators. There were a few honest, intelligent, educated members in the previous Parliament but even they chose to remain silent or vote with the government due to personal reasons at critical moments as when the notorious 18th amendment was passed or the ‘bond scam’ was being discussed. What we need is a new set of ‘Peoples’ Representatives’ who will truly act in the interest of the people of this country of a pluralistic society where every citizen would have equal rights irrespective of race, religion or caste.

These representatives, whether in the government or the opposition should be honest men and women of integrity and also sufficiently educated to serve as our legislators. Even a

Professor of law is useless in Parliament if he lacks moral integrity. They should have the courage of their convictions to be strong and brave enough to stand up and be counted in a crisis, not remain meek and mild serving their masters faithfully even against their own conscience. It is only such a vibrant Parliament where ministers don’t fall asleep during crucial debates which can truly serve the people and safeguard Democracy.

In spite of all these criticisms levelled against the previous Parliament, the leaders of the two major political Parties and their factions have nominated the same set of ‘rogues and criminals’, who they feel would bring in the largest number of votes for the Party by bribing the voters or giving them false hopes. Out of the 225 of the previous lot, 220 have been nominated!

The people were very critical of those parliamentarians till very recently and often referred to the Parliament as a ‘Den of thieves!’ But now that the same thieves have been nominated, there is no public outcry. People should be outraged at the choice but we see no protest. What does this mean? Are they so irrational or so easily bribed that they are willing to elect the same people whom they themselves accused of bribery, corruption, rape, bank robbery and many other criminal activities? It is left to be seen.

We have a ‘strong’ President who vows to clean up the whole system within the next five years. He will need a set of men and women in the new Parliament who will not only assist but also guide him if the need arises. He does not need a set of stooges who will blindly follow his orders. It is also important to have a strong opposition whose members will fearlessly oppose and prevent any piece of legislation which they consider discriminatory or antidemocratic being passed in Parliament. They should not meekly cow down before a powerful executive President as it happened during the elder Rajapaksa regime. The people should think rationally and wisely before they cast their votes.

Some may argue that the people are really helpless because they have no choice as their leaders have made the choice for them in nominating the same old set of ‘corrupt’ individuals within the party. In such a situation, the people should give up their party loyalty and look outside the party among the minor parties and the independent groups. There are some dedicated, committed men and women of honesty and integrity coming forward to serve the country.

There is of course the JVP which has often acted as the de facto opposition in Parliament speaking on behalf of the people, although some people seem to doubt its sincerity, perhaps due to their violent past history. There are other independent groups like the ‘National Development Front’ led by Dr Rohan Pallewatta and Professor Krishan Deheragoda. There are also other professionals who do not suffer from the disease of unlimited wants which reduces many politicians to parasites that feed on the people. One can also be sure that these men, if elected, will not sit quietly without uttering a single word for five years as some members have done.

Even with such a wide choice this time, if people still elect the same old corrupt set of politicians, it could only mean that the average Sri Lankan voter feels more comfortable with an ignorant, corrupt set of leader and he feels uncomfortable with educated men and women of moral integrity leading the country.

Leela Isacc

Institute of Human Rights,

Retired University Teacher