The un-Parliamentary words of MP Vasudeva

MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara, on whom many like me had a very high regard in the past for espousing the cause of the oppressed people, standing up against the might of the Executive on behalf of the working class, identifying himself to be ‘secular’ in his conduct, has recently lost that respect after being in a cabinet that consisted of a myriad of political figures, some of whom were involved in corrupt and nefarious activities. He lost whatever credibility he had after endorsing the 18th Amendment, the worst item of legislation that paved the way for a dictatorial regime.

He never raised even a murmur when innocent persons were killed in Chilaw and Rathupaswala and were brutally crushed when people stood up to ask for basic needs such as water, etc. He did not deem it fit to object when mega casinos were approved and large chunks of prime land given to foreign companies ostensibly for development, naturally their own! He turned a Nelsonian eye when minorities were attacked by marauding religious gangs sponsored by the then rulers.

Nanayakkara, speaking to the BBC as reported in the print media, had stated that the word had come out during a heated exchange between him and the Prime Minister. He went on further according to the report that this was after the PM attempted to prevent him from raising a point of order.

Firstly, for such a dirty word to come out during a heated exchange, his mind’s vocabulary must be full of them. Secondly, it is unbelievable that a veteran Parliamentarian such as Nanayakkara can lose his cool within the Chamber where decorum should be maintained and come out with such an outburst. A conduct most unbecoming for a former Minister and a veteran Parliamentarian!

He apparently does not have any remorse or regret but he should apologise to the visitors including schoolchildren who were in the public gallery at the time and the citizens of this country for this behaviour, if not to the Prime Minister.

He lost his reputation, we lost our esteem for him!

T. Mallawatantri