What is the rationale of the people asking for ‘225 out’

Have any of these 225 given a real solution in writing to resolve these matters? – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara 

For the past 74 years of independence, what is the contribution of Parliament members? They receive salaries, perks, and food – ‘What’ is the contribution of these members? How many have produced real solutions to in essence the ‘people’s’ problems? How many can produce ‘any’ document – inside or outside of parliament – in writing of their attempt at change. The people – want to see that. 

Millions of rupees have been wasted without any tangible evidence of productivity. Car permits, foreign trips – these 225 are wasting rupees and dollars. Rupees and dollars that we in Sri Lanka have always had a shortage of. Both rupees and dollars have always been borrowed more and more. We have never had a surplus. Have any of these 225 given a real solution in writing to resolve these matters? In the last 74 years, the corruption index has gone ‘up’ soaring to new heights yet the public have never seen any document on how they will reduce the corruption level. The young generation are ever so upset at this lacuna in parliamentary action.

The young generation watching videos of parliamentarians see only the blame game in parliament – blaming each other. 90% of time is spent scolding each other across the divide. The end result as is seen by the young generation is a total deficit of delivery for the people even though the 225 are elected by the people.

The public voted for 160 directly. 65 are supposedly appointed from professional ranks to strengthen the knowledge driven Government and the Opposition. Yet the young generation can spot that even this tool is used for cheap political gain and to strengthen only the elected politicians’ vote base. Nothing to do with professionalism or specialist knowledge.

Much of the time when we see footage of Parliament we notice the almost empty Parliament except the minimum for a quorum.

The Opposition act as they are on holiday when in opposition ignoring their vital role. When public servants do not turn up to work they are on no-pay basis. In Parliament there is no such no-pay scenario. They can even extend their absence beyond three months with permission. Yet they officially sit for just 10 days. The public perhaps may want them to receive half-salaries?

The Government servants need to work at least 20 years to receive a pension. The 225 need just five years. 

Most parliamentarians have no other businesses. Yet many of the 225 build palaces and even penthouses. Luxury is the key word. How do they do it? People wish to learn that magic on how to obtain palaces and penthouse after working for part of the five years. The luxury lifestyle including dollar-based foreign shopping remains beyond the people but eminently possible for the 225.

The concept of the closest is the best school does not apply to the 225. They go to the top government school or the top private schools. Either they use influence to gain entry to government schools or use corrupt financial gain to pay for private schools. Every middle class and poor parent will like to know how to engage this magic.

Many of the 225 utilise foreign universities for their offspring. Utilising huge foreign currency using the undiyaal system – so out of the focus of officialdom and proof.

In the past 74 years no recorded case of any politician being jailed for bribery and corruption. Yet the poorer public servants taking Rs. 500-1,000 have lost jobs and been jailed. There is no sense of equality as the people see it. It’s a different magic.

On top of the car permits, subsidised telecoms, food, houses, petrol, security they also obtain preferential low interest rates from banks. This system is so amazing the public yearn to know how to engage this magic.

The 225 will never commit to reforms unless reforms itself gives the 225 some benefit. This is why trade unions all over blackmail the country. So, handouts, lossmaking SOEs, (State Owned Enterprises), and bad procurement have become part of life. 

Parliamentarians have no commitment to improve either the State or private healthcare facilities as the preferred choice of treatment for the 225 is Singapore, United States or the United Kingdom. The younger generation can see via social media how effective quality healthcare has developed in other countries. The Sri Lanka Corruption Index is so high that politicians can afford treatment anywhere. This inequality further adds to the frustration of the younger generation.

Several of the 225 have charitable foundations of their own. The foundation typically will be funded with 1% of their corrupt money. However even this 1% is not seen by the public – but the younger generation have the analytical skills.

All 225 can be elected from one party but can crossover at any time. This practice the younger generation understands is a primary cause of corruption with one party buying over the MP. To stop this practice amendments need to be made to force a by-election in the event of a MP crossing over. This helps maintain the independence of the elected MP who can act with his conscience intact whilst putting a stop to the corrupt practices of buying over MPs. 

Some MPs have dual citizenship, others have Permanent Residency whilst yet others extend this facility to their wife and children, father, mother, father-in-law and mother-in-law and the grandfathers and grandmothers. In effect this means that whatever is robbed from corrupt means is banked safely abroad within the family but the net result is Sri Lanka has fewer dollars. Banks in Singapore and Dubai are the territories of choice to hide their ill-gotten cash.