Mercenary politicos deceive public and tarnish themselves: Minister

The Minister of Health and Nutrition Maithripala Sirisena said the majority of politicians nowadays were motivated by earning money by entering politics and not serving the people and they have tarnished their image themselves.

Addressing a gathering at the opening ceremony of the Anil Munasinghe Memorial Hall in Matugama he said people had lost confidence in the politicians who amassed wealth and means through politics.

The project that cost Rs. 5 million was funded by the wife and children of the late minister and donated to the Matugama Social C8

Today politicians attempt to promote their personal image through whatever possible means and forget about policies

Service Organisation for use of the elders for religious activities and alms giving.

“The present decline in the political arena started with the constitutional reforms in the 1970s. The politicians lost their dignity mainly due to the preferential vote system. Today politicians attempt to promote their personal image through whatever possible means and forget about policies. This is a glaring defect in the present system of electing public representatives. Politics based on policies is a thing of the past and the many politicians today cut a poor figure. Much has been talked and written about the deteriorated state of local politicians and parliamentarians. The need of the hour is to reform the present electoral system to promote their calibre,” he said.