Somersaulting MPs and suffering people

Somersaulting and resorting to political aerobics have proved to be a favourite pastime amongst our MPs and Parliamentarians. Some seasoned players in this game have already achieved this aerobic feat and been richly rewarded with Ministerial, Deputy Ministerial and other powerful portfolios. Many more are clamouring to follow suit, perhaps with a view to enhance their own profile or to act as a cover-up for the sins committed.

This trend in Sri Lankan politics has been in existence for quite a long time and it was the late 'Ceylon Jinnah' who was a great exponent in the art of twisting the “Fez” towards whatever party in power. He set the pace for others to follow. It has now almost become a tradition amongst some of our politicians to resort to such desperate moves in a frantic effort to achieve their objective which unfortunately had so far eluded them.

All these antics have been performed at the expense of the suffering masses who are reluctantly compelled to contribute dearly towards their enhanced salaries and other perks. Increasing the number of members in the cabinet is not a lasting panacea for the ills of the country. Instead some concerted efforts and meaningful measures should be adopted to alleviate the sufferings and miseries of our people who are presently reeling under an ever spiralling cost of living which is the main issue that needs to be resolved immediately.

It is, however, quite strange that, these increases don’t seem to have had any significant effect on our legislators.

It is invariably the common man who is doomed to struggle for survival in an attempt to make ends meet and keep the home fires burning.

By Mohamed Nalim, Colombo 9.