Friday, 26 July 2013 00:00
-
- {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
WHEN elections roll around, crimes are unwound. In the last few days, a slew of arrests and investigations have been ordered on provincial politicians around the country, showcasing the deep level of corruption in the system.
Puttalam Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Nimal Bamunuarachchi’s arrest has been ordered by the court on suspicion of stealing a lorry load of illicitly felled timber. What is even more amazing about it is that he is accused of sprinting off with the lorry after it was detained by the wildlife officials. Compounding the offense, Bamunuarachchi had then refused to appear in court, provoking the judge to order his arrest.
The Kotte Mayor has also gotten caught in legal crosshairs after he and three other officials were accused of taking a bribe to allocate a Rs. 2 billion project outside tender procedures. The complaint was made to the Bribery and Corruption Commission, which has been of late kept extremely busy protecting public funds.
Kantale Pradeshiya Sabha member Chandra Karunathileka was sacked for contesting for the elections while still being an employee of the Pradeshiya Sabha. Despite the massive conflict of interest, officials had blithely ignored the fact that Karunathileka had been employed at the same office he contested for since 2007.
A Galigamuwa Pradeshiya Sabha Minister was arrested after he cheated millions from 10 people by promising to find them jobs. Close kin have also jumped into the game with the Laggala Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman’s son being remanded for shooting an 8-year-old. The shocking incident was explained away as an ‘accident’ but thankfully, the child survived.
It is not a coincidence that the bulk of these offenders belong to the ruling party. The situation has become so bad that Sri Lanka Freedom Party General Secretary Maithreepala Sirisena had severely reprimanded a meeting of provincial members in Polonnaruwa, pointing out that he could not even “walk down the road” because of their reprehensible actions.
The Minister would perhaps have fewer questions to answer if the party actually worked at disciplining its members, making a long overdue start with Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva. Continuously sweeping offences under the carpet, excusing offending colleagues and worst of all not allowing them to be independently investigated by the police, have made the situation untenable.
Ruling party members that have been accused of murder are shielded by the party, making the judicial system a laughing stock and even damaging Sri Lanka’s international reputation, as has been evidenced in the Tangalle British tourist’s killing and the rape of his Russian girlfriend. The hearing into the murder had to be moved to Colombo after witnesses were threatened by the chief suspect who also happens to be the Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman. In fact, the issue is threatening to bob to the surface yet again at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
Election time is perfect to wash such dirty laundry in public. If the elected members have been corrupt, then they must answer to the public. While it is naive to expect that these offences will affect the outcome of polls come September, it is nonetheless the cornerstone of democracy that rulers be held accountable by the people.
