-Written by Shantha Jayaratne
(Lanka-e-News -08.Nov.2024, 9.15 pm) Parliament is considered the highest institution in the country, with the role of representing the sovereignty of the people. However, upon reviewing the actions of previous parliaments, it’s evident that the majority of the 225 representatives we elect every five years are unfit to represent Parliament. The main slogans of the 2022 Aragalaya (struggle) included calls like "Send all 225 home," "Punish the corrupt," and "Recover stolen assets." Why did we have to engage in such a struggle?
Premalal Jayasekara, known as "Choka Malli," a minister from the Pohottuwa party, was sentenced to death in 2020 for a murder during the 2015 presidential campaign. After a prolonged legal process, both he and two other councilors were sentenced by the Ratnapura High Court. Despite this, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa granted him a pardon in 2022, allowing him to return to Parliament and even giving him a ministerial role. Although there is no legal provision for a person sentenced to death to be sworn in as an MP, then-Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena ignored the law, ordering the Prisons Commissioner General to allow “Choka Malli” to attend parliamentary sessions.
In the 2024 general election, this same Speaker is now a candidate on the national list of the UNP-backed party and has switched allegiance. Choka Malli, now associated with Ranil Wickremesinghe’s party, is contesting in the Ratnapura district from the Pohottuwa. With murderers and Speakers who ignore the law in Parliament, whom can we trust?
In May 2024, Ali Sabri Raheem, an MP from Rishad Bathiudeen’s party (ACMC), was apprehended at the airport with 3 kilograms of gold worth 78 million rupees and 91 smartphones valued at 4.2 million rupees. Despite using his MP privileges to attempt smuggling, he was quickly released after paying a fine of 7.5 million rupees. Later, he attended Parliament and even voted on a bill. Is the minor fine relative to the smuggled goods due to his status as an MP? Now aligned with Ranil Wickremesinghe, he is contesting in the Puttalam district. What does it say about the public if such smugglers are sent to a legislative body?
Nimal Lansa, once a minister in the Western Provincial Council, had his home raided by the Special Task Force (STF) based on a tip-off about hidden narcotics. President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived by helicopter to Lansa’s house, embracing him to show he wouldn’t let anything happen to him. Ultimately, it was the police who were deemed in the wrong. Lansa continued to secure ministerial positions under each successive government. He is now contesting in Gampaha from Ranil Wickremesinghe’s party. Can one really expect integrity from such individuals?
A Code of Conduct was adopted in Parliament on March 7, 2018, with the aim of preserving the dignity of this institution that protects public sovereignty. Yet, if even the Speaker, the head of Parliament, fails to uphold it, what can one expect from these codes?
Consider the candidates contesting in this election. Many notorious business figures are now in the race. These individuals, who capitalized on the COVID pandemic, are likely seeking legislative power for protection and further exploitation. Several actors, accused of various crimes and even imprisoned, are contesting too. Should defeated politicians like Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is waiting for his chance to seize power, be sent back to Parliament? Or should we fill Parliament with untainted, patriotic, and humanitarian individuals? The decision is yours.
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by (2024-11-08 15:51:58)
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