‘Row over death row MP’

May I draw your attention to your recent editorial on the election to Parliament of convicts. In a country where the leaders treat the laws with contempt, such issues are bound to haunt the state and its reputation as a law abiding democracy.

You have quite correctly said that the man now elected should never have been nominated in the first place. How true. Having nominated him, those responsible went to the electorate and exhorted the voters to give a MANAPE TO HIM. It’s evident that they do not consider such niceties as having legislators with good credentials, who will enhance the image of the country and also the offices they hold.

Some of the people’s representatives, whose conduct was despicable in Parliament, which went viral after throwing the Holy Bible/Quran, damaging state property, throwing Chilli Powder, etc., was not considered a disqualification, since such atrocious behaviour was orchestrated and supervised by responsible seniors. Did they care a tinker’s cuss at the great damage to the reputation of the country, and more importantly offer a bad lesson to the younger generation where correct behaviour when holding public office was fundamental.

I guess this is the only country in the world that provided space in the National Legislature to convicted criminals on whom a death sentence was passed coming into legislate for its citizens. I doff my hat to the Hon Attorney General for strongly objecting to the attempts of transitory politicians.

Mr Ronald Reagan, a much loved flamboyant former President of the United States said “As the government liberty expands the citizens liberty contracts”. He said we the people must tell the government what to do as we drive the car, and the government is the car that must move in line with the driver’s needs.

I do not think any sane person would wish our Parliament to go further down in the eyes of the civilised world, and would not even remotely expect murderers sentenced to death to be in the legislature.

In my view they should not be permitted to sit in the legislature, if the rulers really want its citizens to respect the rule of law and live as law abiding citizens. I am sure many will agree with me, irrespective of party affiliations.

LIONEL PEIRIS

Ratnapura