Wrongs from both sides do not make it Right
With the proceedings of the Parliament are being aired on TV, I am sure people do not watch tele-dramas any longer as the antics of a group of adults (?) -- supposedly representatives of the people -- have taken the centre stage and is the cynosure of all eyes.to the independent observer, there have been a series of wrongs which have taken place and have given rise to this crisis. Why did the President, a mature politician appoint a Prime Minister without first ascertaining whether he had the necessary numbers to back him? If the UNF group was of the view that this was not a legitimate appointment, they could have sought the view of the Supreme Court. Again the President inexplicably dissolved Parliament which gave rise to the further fury of the opposition and complicated matters and we are now awaiting the outcome of a series of cases filed in the SC.THE foundation for the administration of a country, the Parliament. Legislature and the Judiciary is the Constitution and starting from the Head of the country all concerned should adhere to the clauses enshrined in it.
Have the Politicians, including the Speaker of the house, adhered to the systems and procedures of the House of Parliament is the next question? If the MPS had allegedly smuggled in knives, there is a more meaningful way of protesting and seeking investigation and redress. Shouting and misbehaving in the well of the house, a sacred chamber where all deliberations affecting the future of the country are made and laws enacted. If the Speaker had wished to establish the numbers of MPS supporting the No Confidence Motion, it should have been expedited in the proper way as set out by the Secretary General of Parliament.
Justice must not only be served but also appear to be served.when pandemonium reigned in the House without restoring order, you cannot take a count of votes. Even in a Committee meeting of a Club, this manner of voting is normally not accepted.the Speaker holds a pivotal position and must aspire to have the confidence of the entire house by following procedure and tradition and by his impartiality.
We are a Democratic country with strong traditions and it is imperatives that both sides of the House behave and act in more professional manner.the entire country was watching this drama which was being unfolded, including the future generation and are the Political leaders leading from front? I dread to think what would be in store for the future generation of the country, if they followed the examples of the present lot. Sadly, the Statesmen we had in the past of the calibre of DS Senanayeke, SWRD Bandaranaike, JR Jayawardena and R. Premadasa will enlighten the political firmament in this country in the foreseeable future.
ANTON ABEYESEKERA