All allowances given to parliamentarians is a crime and an utter waste of public money! These irresponsible crooks mark their attendance & disappear!!

Clipping the wings of Parliamentarians

The article appearing in the ‘Sunday Island’ of 9th Aug. 2009 under the caption ‘Do we really need 225 members of Parliament?’ is indeed food for thought. All types of allowances given to these parliamentarians is a crime and an utter waste of public money. For example, these parliamentarians are paid an attendance fee of Rs. 500/- per sitting but these irresponsible crooks mark their attendance and disappear as stated by Mr Wijekoon, how honest and sincere are these men? What can we expect of those under them, the so called Government Servants? It is no wonder that the whole country is in a dire state of economic stress. The loans granted appear to be wasted. Ministers of course are jubilant because such loans are beneficial to them for they can be sure of their allowances and salaries. Furthermore their Kith and Kin are safe and sound.
The President has emphatically stated that there are only two categories of citizens in the country - Patriotic and Unpatriotic. Most parliamentarians are mercenary minded and greedy for power, position and privilege. They enjoy all this at the cost of the poor masses of this country. It is high time now come what may, for His Excellency to take concrete steps to remedy this situation and to bring to book the culprits whether big or small. The people of this country are now undoubtedly behind the President. I also would like to add something more to Mr Wijekoon’s insight. Of what use are these so-called Provincial Councils when there are the local bodies? These are nothing but opportunities created to help the Kith and Kin of Parliamentarians to find employment. As Mr. Wijekoon states there is no need to have 225 members in Parliament. His Excellency the President stresses the necessity for an indigenous system of governance. The time has now come to cut down the number of members in Parliament and also do away with these useless provincial councils and form a system ,of governance with the local bodies.

Let His Excellency the President exercise his powers freely in the interest of the country and cut down on the allowances and even the salaries of MP’s. All Ministers and MP’s should keep in mind that they are servants of the people. I would like to highlight my experience with an M.P. who when addressed as Mister, he got hurt and wanted me to address him as SIR! What nonsense is this? Much could be said about these persons but time and space do not permit.

We appeal to His Excellency the President to take into consideration all what Mr Wijekoon stated and take immediate action to rectify these issues.

J. Annesley Fernando
Moratuwa

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