Odds and Ends
In one voice
If there is one subject on which all MPs are united, that is with
regard to the impending increase in their salaries. When the issue
came up for discussion in Parliament on Friday, MPs across the board
could not but blame journalists for sensationalizing the move to
give them a pay rise.
One UNP MP fired all his guns against a private
TV station which is known to favour his party a great deal and accused
it of repeatedly showing a video of a song by a popular local singer
in which MPs are allegedly ridiculed. Nice to see them speaking
in one voice at least on one subject but why no such unity when
it comes to solving the other pressing problems in the country.
Some way to go
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has got himself quite a few advisors
since he assumed office six months ago. They total 16 at present
and include three retired ministers namely Ronnie De Mel, Tyronne
Fernando and Lakshman Jayakody. The others include Basil Rajapaksa,
Prof. Kamal Karunanayaka, Nevil Piyadigama, Sunimal Fernando, Vasudeva
Nanayakkara, Dhammika Amarasinghe, Prof. P.W.Epasinghe, Dr. Chandrawansa
Pathiraja, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Rohana Weerasinghe, Chandra Wickremasinghe,
Dayan Jayatilleke and Dr. Palitha Kohona. He still has some way
to go to match his predecessor who had around 30 advisors.
Lead by example
Five UNP MPs came to Parliament in bullock carts last week to protest
at the high cost of living and surging fuel prices. They got off
at the main entrance to the Legislative and the carts returned with
their drivers. For the MPs the return journey was in the more familiar
Prados and Land Cruisers. A better way to tackle the high cost of
fuel would be to lead by example and start by using more fuel efficient
vehicles than those that gobble fuels by the gallon. Or better still
use public transport like everyone else.
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