Are the ministers a law unto themselves?

In recent months there have been a number of instances, where our ministers have simply shot their mouths off or acted in the most undignified manner or not discharged their responsibilities causing massive losses to this country, bringing the government to disrepute and seriously undermining the principles and policies of good governance; which we were made to believe are the foundation on which this government has been established.

Take the case of the minister whose shocking outburst as to how he was going to deal with his party’s opponents in the forthcoming elections was widely reported in all media.

What about our Sports Minister ordering our cricketers who had already emplaned to proceed to India, out of the aircraft? He may have his problems with those who are responsible for administering this sport in this country but can he be allowed to humiliate our national cricketers in this manner? He obviously doesn’t know the fundamentals of good management.

What about our Agriculture Minister? The building rented out for five years by the Ministry nearly three years ago is still vacant. The rent is Rs.21 Mn a month and two years rent amounting to Rs. 504 Mn has been paid in advance. The third year’s rent has also probably been. The building remains unoccupied. Surely ‘heads must roll’ for this kind of neglect and waste.

What about the fertilizer shortage? There can be no excuses.

Let’s not talk of the former Finance Minister? The Bond Commission report is just out. What ordinary people saw as a bribe, our Mr. Clean PM did not see, or refused to see. Of course he is not a minister now but was regularly seen with the PM at UNP functions.

Can these ministers speak and act in this manner? If and when they do, they must be dealt with by the President or the Prime Minister, and the people must know that they have been ‘pulled up’. Some must be asked to step down. The President and PM ignore such acts only at the cost of people losing faith in this government and the promises it gave the people.

Dehiwela