By Saro Kadirgamar –

It is debatable whether our members of parliament have a conscience. Did not many of them cross over to the winning side with no reference to their electorate which had given them a different mandate? Of course the reason given was that it was to help win the war! Now the war is over, let them help win the peace with reconciliation and justice.

Many of them voted for the 17th amendment but were quick to respond to the master’s whip and vote for the 18th amendment without requesting the right to vote according to their conscience.

Were these actions not motivated by personal gain?

However, in order to strengthen their backbone, pre-supposing they have one, may they be granted a secret ballot.