Rudyard Kipling states elegantly in ‘IF’,
“If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distant run”
Many of us face this, and later regret to state ‘it is only that minute’ I lost my temper other wise, I would not have done it. Unfortunately, It is that minute that matters and not all the thousand of minutes before or after. Swami Vivekananda says in one his preaching ‘it is easy to be a hermit in wild with no interference but more difficult to practice purity living with all forms of distractions around you’. This again reiterates that, it is what one does when confronted with issues that matter, rather than all the preaching you make when you are completely free and away and are non accountable. It is that minute….
It is that minute now for the President and perhaps the Prime Minister. Elections are over, Prime Minister is appointed, there si support for a stable government. Every move that is made now, will be weighed against the pledges they made and the principles they preached. It is only the time will tell your success or failure; their ratings.
The National, List and the enrollment of those who lost at elections
Many had already commented on it but it is important to also realize that many hundreds who had not, are talking about it in the rural areas. How can a loser be appointed to the parliament under the National List? Yes, I am aware that the act provides for it. If so, then it is the act we should change as much as we did with 18th amendment, if necessary. The VOTE is considered as a symbol of democracy and also the power of the people and once they had spoken, then there should not be means to alter it. This violates the basics of the principles of the VOTERS POWER and rights of the people to elect their representatives? Look at the case in Kattankudy. On the announcement of appointing a member who was not elected, there had been violence against those who ‘may not have ‘ voted for that candidate. Few had been in the hospital. Is this the price one has to pay for exercising their rights? NO. The same is bound to happen in all the places, where such replacements have taken place, whether physically, mentally or socially. Is it correct to assign power to those who have been rejected by the people at an election specifically made for their selection. It is different from those who have not contested as they are appointed to the parliament, on their own merit, and with no rejection by the people. The ONUS is also on the persons concerned, should they accept such a post or position having lost at the election? If these such appointed members become further as MINISTERS then the fundamental of the FRANCHAISE would be in question, do they represent the people? This will be an issue spoken of the ‘government ‘ and ‘presidency’ over the years as a historical mistake. If the power is to vested in a few against the peoples wish, then the democracy takes a walk out of the back door. It is that minute that matters..
Number of Ministers
Other issue that is in the cards now is the number of Ministers and Deputy Ministers. This was discussed a lot and arrived at a consensus as the 19th amendment. To review this at this minute is wrong as ‘more politics’ will be in place rather than principles. We had agreed for 30 ministers and 45 deputies and let it be that and no more. I am aware of the possible pressures in the higher ground but it is at these moments of such pressure does a SATESMAN and LEADERS shows his dignity and courage. It is that ‘ONE MINUTE’ that goes in history. The pressures and threats would be gone in a few days or months, but the error you make would go in history and would be taken as the precedence of all the ‘compromises’ you may have to make away from your principles and preaching. It is not worth it. It is surprising to note that on one hand, appointment of losers by the national list is justified from the legislation,. But, on the other the legislation to have only 30 Ministers is being reviewed for change. If true, hypocrisy at peak. It is this minute that matters….
People gave a mandate for the changes to the President on January 8th and on trust they endorsed it on 17th August also at his request. If these are not made then he would another person in history who had promised many and delivered few. The score card reduces him to a mere Political leader away from a Statesman. This country needs a Statesman for it to develop along the lines of democracy and governance principles. The President in contest at the moment whether he makes himself a Politician or a Statesman would be recorded history. Could he make this minute into the long Sixty seconds? I think, he can and he should, in the interest of the country and principles that people wish to be associated with.
The minute that makes history is ‘that one minute’.
Spring Koha / August 24, 2015
The PEOPLE spoke, and, we are told, officially, without all the old evils of violence and intimidation. The message is clear, more ‘yahapalanaye’, please. But as the days go by, we see that many of our political leaders are reverting to their old tricks. Losers become winners on the machinations of party leaders, and now, the unseemly scramble to find ministries for all who need to be repaid with those extra perks.
Too early yet to open that old bottle of Mendis Extra Special.
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S.Modaya / August 25, 2015
Jey: In Sri Lanka, politics is the art of Back Stabbing while keeping the voters ignorant, stupid, and backward.
Sirisena is turning out to be a real clown with his national list of corrupt clowns from the SLFP who will have 17 cabinet posts with 51 in Ranil’s gigantic cabinet of corrupt clowns – in total.
This is not good governance, it is putrid governance with a national government for no good reason, except to keep the greedy Sinhala politicians happy and maintain the CULTURE OF IMPUNITY in the Parliament of Morons which is the fountain head of corruption and stink in the Miracle of Modaysa, safe!
The new constitution should ban ‘national governments’, limit the Cabinet to 10 members, and ban political party cross overs and have a chapter on good governance of political parties.
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Funlover / August 25, 2015
True to your name, you are expecting the Politicians to change the law to put an end to their own monkey tricks.
Yaya Palanaya notwithstanding, that’s not going to happen.
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Truthspeaker / August 25, 2015
The President is the Fountain of Corruption; MPs are the reservoir. Next time you seek answers keep this in mind.
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Uthungan / August 24, 2015
The issue of appointing those who were defeated as MP’s under the National List is a perfect example to illustrate the sharp divergence between democratic principles and it’s animating ideals.
This is why a political system becomes flawed, which in turn causes the regulatory system to fail.
That is the reason why the election laws for the appointment as MP’s of defeated candidate under the National List has to go.The sooner it goes the better it is for democracy.
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CHANAKYA / August 24, 2015
Sir , dear Dr TJ, it will not work. They have no vision for the country. Otherwise, when people like the Deputy Gov. of the Central Bank Mr Wijewardena, who has worked for our motherland for many years with diligence, dignity,honesty and poise ,is available and is ideal for the post, will the President & PM offer the much valued post of H.C. in the U.K. to Sangakkara and Rosy? Were they as serious as even the Deputy Governor about protecting the interests of our poor country? It is a shame!
COULD A GOOD SAMARITAN SHOW THIS MESSAGE AND PROPOSE the NAME OF DR WIJEWARDENA FOR THE POST OF H.C. in LONDON PLEASE. THANK YOU TELEGRAPH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. YOUR COLUMNS HELP US TO OPEN THE EYES OF OUR NARROW MINDED POLITICIANS WHO CRAVE TO GRAB POWER AND ENJOY THE POSITIONS WITHOUT ANY VISION or A DIRECTION FOR THE COUNTRY.Think about it this way: Sirs Lalitha Rajapakse , Claud Corea & Edwin Wijeratne,Messrs Gunasena Soyza,Chandra Monarawela( DPL), Mahendran (DPL)& Dr Nonis VS Rosy Senanayake & Kumar Sangakkara…WHAT A CONTRAST !
What is our good Rev. M.Sobhitha doing? Isn’t he the person who must point these things out? UNP & the SLFP both want Buddhist priests to come to power. Look at the Luxury they enjoy. Malwatte Nayakes , for years have been taking bribes to give Mahanayake posts to Buddhist priests.Where is Sobhitha Thero to correct his own robed monks. What about the caste system HAMUDURUWANE?
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